Where are they now, my ever present friends,

Now that my measured fortune sadly wanes;

Is this how bonhomie shall make amends—

To damn old bonds and brand them now in shame?

What of those oaths once lauded in proud praise,

By gloating guild so honored for all time,

Disparaged now by eyes that fail to raise

Where loss of lucre rivals heinous crime?

To be renamed some ‘brotherhood of purse’

Might yet reclaim some honor in rebuff

And so proclaimed, could never thus do worse

With dubious virtue salvaged from rank chuff.

Twice crushed—both chum and chattel gone—

God willing, I shall buy them back anon.