[Nigel Mace]

“Oh really, Philip, you know We never
forget a face (well, most hardly ever)
but, since the Season has no proper dates,
We can’t recall all let in through the gates.

Now Will and Cambridge have at last appeared
with Charles and Cornwall and, much as We feared,
Our Andrew has another jade in tow -
at least one ‘face’ We won’t pretend to ‘know’.

There’s Cameron and Corbyn, each with spouse,
not both of whom, from tattle in the House,
thank God, are likely to last out the course.
Caligula, We hear, preferred a horse –
awkward as a Privy Council mascot,
better as a fit for Royal Ascot.
Which petty sneaking knave’s next in the queue?”

“Mr Nick Griffin.” “Ah - how do you do?”

Although I know that they never want titles, I shall think of this (pace Belloc) as "The Garden Party".

[Jerome Betts]

I heard a griffin opening its beak
About the specimen in Wonderland.
"Why ever Lewis Carroll made him speak
Like some plebeian, I don't understand.

Our hybrid nature makes us doubly proud
That we are placed above the common lot.
We hardly care to mingle with the crowd,
Deans' little girls and Turtles, Mock or not.

Dancing with lobsters? Totally absurd!
We have no wish at all to join quadrillers.
Half noble King of Beasts, half regal bird,
Our role's the stately topping of stone pillars."

[John Whitworth]

Vachel Lindsay is an obvious winner. Can we enter him?

[Ann Drysdale]

V L's poem was the original inspiration for Dylan T's "Do not go gentle...". Not a lot of people know that.

[John Whitworth]

I didn't know that, Ann. I'm not sure I do now. How?

The thng to dwcide about griffins is - are they nice or nasty?

[Jayne Osborn]

The thing to decide about griffins is - are they nice or nasty?

Have you looked at the Google images of griffins, John? They look absolutely terrifying... but there were some nice dragons, I believe, so you can't go by appearances alone.

All the same, I'm betting that griffins are mostly nasty creatures, so if you do meet one keep your wits about you.

Jayne

[John Whitworth]

Lindsay's Griffin is nice, Jayne. So is Lewis Carroll's.

[Gail White]

Just since John asked:

When you're introduced to griffins,
Etiquette must be observed,
For they're strong enough to eat you
And they're easily unnerved.

They appreciate a grovel,
They appreciate a gift –
Steaks will be politely eaten,
Roses eloquently sniffed.

Show a deferential bearing,
Just between respect and fear.
If the griffin softly crouches
You may gently scratch its rear.

You may tame it, you may ride it,
You may call it like a bird,
But you may not sell the story –
People won't believe a word.

[Nigel Mace]

Best so far, Gail - in fact, good enough to meet.

[Erik Olson]

The lion glories on ensanguined plains,
Imprints his majesty with easy strains;
Much like the eagle who with piercing eyes,
From crag or castle, cleaves the liquid skies
Swifter than doves can move or darting grouse.

Since royals with royals mix of equal house,
Both natures crossed in chroniclers noble thought
To birth a beast that nature never wrought
Yet droves corroborate from pilgrimages
Whose self between the two supplied the bridges.
Like waves approaching upper, rocky puddles,
Memory merges pools and matter muddles.
.