english/italian

Before he went to live with owls and bats

Nebuchadnezzar had an ugly dream,

Worse than an Hus'if's when she thinks her cream

Made a Naumachia for mice and rats.

So scared, he sent for that "Good King of Cats",

Young Daniel, who soon did pluck away the beam

From out his eye, and said he did not deam

The sceptre worth a straw - his Cushions old door-mats.

A horrid nightmare, similar somewhat,

Of late has haunted a most valiant crew

Of loggerheads and chapmen - we are told

That any Daniel, tho' he be a sot,

Can make the lying lips turn pale of hue

By belching out "Ye are that head of gold".