History + 

What wrecked the Roman power? One says vice, + 

Another indolence, another dice. + 

Emascle says polygamy. “Not so,” + 

Says Impycu⁠—“ ’twas luxury and show.” + 

The parson, lifting up a brow of brass, + 

Swears superstition gave the coup de grâce. + 

Great Allison, the statesman-chap affirms + 

’Twas lack of coin (croaks Medico: “ ’Twas worms!”)⁠— + 

And John P. Jones the swift suggestion collars, + 

Averring that no coins were silver dollars. + 

Thus, through the ages, each presuming quack + 

Turns the poor corpse upon its rotten back, + 

Holds a new “autopsy” and finds that death + 

Resulted partly from the want of breath, + 

But chiefly from some visitation sad + 

That points his argument or serves his fad. + 

They’re all in error⁠—never human mind + 

The cause of the disaster has divined. + 

What slew the Roman power? Well, provided + 

You’ll keep the secret, I will tell you. I did. + 