Eschatology of the Lexicon

They come down to us rounding the corners of centuries at an innocent jog, shedding letters and most of the grand old meanings to take on the sleek new hide our day demands, a snappier nap that can repel the stare of a rather less tactful sun; they come down to us com- pounding, bounding in idiot joy, they come with that trustful tired old mutt look, that soft woof, warm doggie sigh on the knee, hoping for what? Some reason, no doubt, to continue sounding. Give me one good reason, they come down to us saying, as if we could have one without them.