The Man in the Street

I met him in the street
I said: How do you do? —
He said: And who are you
when we meet? —

I sadly went my way
feeling anything but gay,
yet once more I met a man and had to stay —
May I greet — ?

He cut me very dead,
but then he turned and said:
I see you’re off your head
thus to greet
in the street
a member of the British Public: don’t you see
the policeman on his beat?
Well, he’s there protecting me! —

But! said I,
but why — ?

And they ran me in, to teach me why.