| Man: | Let's not beat around the bush,
Let's talk of your career, It's best if things around your life Not be what they appear. With deception we can see That you will quickly rise, For one's a servant of the truth But master of his lies. |
| Bill: | You know I'm very grateful for
Your well-intentioned tips, But what I really want right now Is just more fish and chips. |
| Man: | Don't think that I have brought you here
To hand out cheap advice. We'd like for you to join our team Such chances don't come twice. We long have had our eye on you, We know well who you are. With the help we can provide I promise you'll go far. |
| Bill: | You know I learned in Arkansas
That nothing's ever free. I'm sure that there are lots of things You would expect of me. |
| Man: | Of course you'd have to sign our oath,
The oath of secrecy. We must be sure where you would owe Your highest loyalty. Apart from that the thing right now That we most need you for Is demonstrating noisily Against the Vietnam War. |
| Bill: | That shouldn't be so hard to do,
Since I just got my call, But of the folks behind this stuff, I never thought of y'all. |
| Man: | Remember what I said when you
Were draining your first beer, There's power in making things not be As they at first appear. Sniffing out subversive types Is often very hard. But if they think you share their views They could let down their guard. |
| Bill: | Surely you don't think that I
Would turn in my best friends, If they should ever learn the truth How could I make amends? |
| Man: | It will never be the truth
Unless you should confess, The truth is just what we allow To show up in the press. For every young politico That we have on our plate We have a half a score or more Among the Fourth Estate |
| Bill: | But how I'm thought of by my friends
Still means the world to me. How dare you think me capable Of infidelity? |
| Man: | Your friends are for your reference cards
To call upon some day, Or bodies to provide for you A frolic in the hay. If you but cast your lot with us And pay the proper dues I promise you will have far more Than you can ever use. |
| Bill: | Stop it please. You hurt my ears.
(He said with indignation) I would be but half a man Without my reputation. With food and friends of either sex You know I'm very choosy, You'd never see me making time With any big-haired floozy. For the loss of self-respect There is no recompense. Begone with all your blandishments, Satan, get thee hence. |
| David Martin |
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