Aaaah! I feel a great surge of affection for a man who rhymes "Purcell" with "Rehearsal". Dryden, thou shoulds't be living at this hour! Please do not mistake this for sarcasm - I really mean it!

Thanks, Ann. I appreciate that, and I didn't take it as sarcasm in the least. Conveniently, Purcell can be pronounced both ways.

Martin, all those anapests in your last line made it less satisfying to me. It occurred to me that something like "It would have helped, though, to have brought his bass" might add more punch to the line.

Susan

Susan, thanks for your thoughts on the last line. I was afraid those anapests might have bogged it down a bit, so I've amended it with your suggestion.