16 JUNE 1984, Page 29

The Aristocrats

Careless of petit-bourgeois shame, They bent the rules yet played the game. Now they're just people in old homes Distinguished by a lack of gnomes. The richer ones invest, keep zoos, And have no favourites among Jews, Arabs and Texans and town-planners. The poorer sort adhere to booze, Grand-parents, grand pianos, Bad luck, bad heating and good manners.

James Michie