Villain, The

THE VILLAIN

If I may come in for one moment
(and take my hat off,)
For I need to confess that it's easy
To play the villain!

Even when one endeavours the utmost
To play it straight
With a single, sharp shingle remark
The daggers and dirks are turned

One can't wriggle out from the spotlight
When cast as the worm
The instant one's matchstick flares
Every lick of the tongue is a firebomb

And the audience stares, furious
That is all
Now for my hat and the trap and the door