When young, in tones quite positive 
 I said, "The world shall see 
That I can keep myself from sin; 
 A good man I will be." 

But when I loved Miss Kate St. Clair 
 'Twas thus my musing ran: 
"I cannot be compared with her; 
 I'll be a better man." 

'Twas at the wedding of a friend 
 (He married Kate St. Clair) 
That I became superlative, 
 For I was "best man" there.