A Pilgrim’s Digression

[This ditty is based on a song written and performed by Tom Lehrer about 1966, "Whatever Became of Hubert?" My version doesn't scan, but then neither does the original, so please chalk up the horrific rhymes to my attempt at faithfulness to Lehrer's asymmetric poetry.]

Whatever Became of Hillary Rodham?

Whatever became of Hillary Rodham?
Has anyone heard a thing?
Once she spoke out forthrightly,
Now she only speaks tritely
Of staying the course ’til ‘08.

What happened to the Hillary we knew?
Once a fiery liberal spirit,
Ah, but now when she speaks she must clear it
With her advisers, a poll,
And her mate.

“Why won’t you speak for us, Hillary?”
Says every liberal blog reader.
With a cold gleam in her eyes,
“No one wants to hear you,” she replies,
“But I’ll still take your money, now beat it.”

Whatever became of you, Hillary?
We miss you, so tell us please.
Are you cynical, are you cross
Will you win at any cost
In your elaborate political scheme?

Does Bill, when you’re alone, proclaim,
“I’ll do for you what I did for me,
Then we’ll do unto them
What they did unto me,
And finally the circle is complete.”

Whatever happened to Hillary Rodham?
She disappeared long ago, I think.
Now all’s left is revenge,
And ambition unhinged,
Like some tragedy that Shakespeare rejected.