I said， Why should a pyramid
Stand always dully on its base？
I'll change it！ Let the TOP be hid，
The bottom take the apex-place！
And as I bade they did.
The people flocked in， scores on scores，
To see it balance on its tip.
They praised me with the praise that bores，
My godlike mind on every lip.
Until it fell， of course.
And then they took my body out
From my crushed palace， mad with rage，
Well， half the town WAS wrecked1， no doubt
Their crazy anger to assuage2
By dragging it about.
The end？ Foul3 birds defile4 my skull5.
The new king's praises fill the land.
He clings to precept6， simple， dull；
HIS pyramids on bases stand.
But Lord， how usual！
