The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Come shooting through the bridge?
And ‘cheerioh’ or ‘cheeri-bye’
Across the waste of waters die
And low the mists of evening lie
And lightly skims the midge.
‘Henley-on-Thames’ (1945)
Phone for the fish-knives, Norman
As Cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.
‘How to get on in Society’ (1954)
Milk and then just as it comes dear?
I’m afraid the preserve’s full of stones;
Beg pardon, I’m soiling the doileys
With afternoon tea-cakes and scones.
‘How to get on in Society’ (1954)
In the Garden City Cafè with its murals on the wall
Before a talk on ‘Sex and Civics’ I meditated on the Fall.
‘Huxley Hall’ (1954)
The Church’s Restoration
In eighteen-eighty-three
Has left for contemplation
Not what there used to be.
‘Hymn’ in ‘Mount Zion’ (1931)
Think of what our Nation stands for,
Books from Boots’ and country lanes,
Free speech, free passes, class distinction,
Democracy and proper drains.
Lord, put beneath Thy special care
One-eighty-nine Cadogan Square.
‘In Westminster Abbey’ (1940)
In the licorice fields at Pontefract
My love and I did meet
And many a burdened licorice bush
Was blooming round our feet;
Red hair she had and golden skin,
Her sulky lips were shaped for sin,
Her sturdy legs were flannel-slack’d,
The strongest legs in Pontefract.
‘The Licorice Fields at Pontefract’ (1954)