21 SEPTEMBER 1962, Page 28

Three Poems

By KINGSLEY AMIS

When they saw off Dai Evans's da The whole thing was done very nice: Bethesda was packed to the doors And the minister, Urien Price, Addressed them with telling effect.

`Our brother grew rich in respect,' He told them in accents of fire; `A man of unshakable strength Whom to know was at once to admire. He did nothing common or mean.'

They'd no notion of coming between That poor young Dai and his grief, So each of them just had a word With him after, well-chosen and brief: 'I looked up to him, boy' sort of touch.

He thanked one and all very much, But thought, as he waved them goodbye, Was respect going to be what they felt When Bethesda did honour to Dai? No, something more personal, see?

`Hallo, pet. Alone? Good. It's me. Ah now, who did you think it was? Well, come down the Bush and find out- You'll know me easy, because I'm wearing a black tie, love.'