It means not much to me, The guile of pomp and ceremony The feigning for the sake of what, An empty gesture ill-begot? Nay, once it might have meant something, To be honoured by a queen or king, But now the act is wearing thin: The worthless to the royal chagrin What chivalry in sullied ways, Masked rogues in chicane plays Imposters make the rite impure, Knights do not bow anymore.