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William Schwenck Gilbert - Limited Liability
Work rating: Low

Some seven men form an Association
(If possible, all Peers and Baronets),
They start off with a public declaration
To what extent they mean to pay their debts.
That`s called their Capital:  if they are wary
They will not quote it at a sum immense.
The figure`s immaterial - it may vary
From eighteen million down to eighteenpence.
I should put it rather low;
The good sense of doing so
Will be evident at once to any debtor.
When it`s left to you to say
What amount you mean to pay,
Why, the lower you can put it at, the better.

They then proceed to trade with all who`ll trust `em,
Quite irrespective of their capital
(It`s shady, but it`s sanctified by custom);
Bank, Railway, Loan, or Panama Canal.
You can`t embark on trading too tremendous -
It`s strictly fair, and based on common sense -
If you succeed, your profits are stupendous -
And if you fail, pop goes your eighteenpence.
Make the money-spinner spin!
For you only stand to win,
And you`ll never with dishonesty be twitted.
For nobody can know,
To a million or so,
To what extent your capital`s committed!

If you come to grief, and creditors are craving
(For nothing that is planned by mortal head
Is certain in this Vale of Sorrow - saving
That one`s Liability is Limited), -
Do you suppose that signifies perdition?
If so you`re but a monetary dunce -
You merely file a Winding-Up Petition,
And start another Company at once!
Though a Rothschild you may be
In your own capacity,
As a Company you`ve come to utter sorrow -
But the Liquidators say,
"Never mind - you needn`t pay,"
So you start another Company to-morrow!
Source
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