Obviously

Except when he was too drunk to hold his syntax together.

Freda, syntax must be one of the few words to rhyme with tin tacks.

Yes I too owe it all, or most of it, such as it is, to Mr Thomas (the Swansea one, not the Bolton one). Luckily I lost my first pastiches and pale imitations long ago.

Anyone know a rhyme for pastiche?

Corniche
porn fiche
past niche
...I'm bored, can I go out to play now?