My own answer: Thanks for the suggestins. I looked them over, tried implimenting a bit, then wondered if writing something might not be faster. In less time that I had already spent investigating the modules, I wrote a 10-line parser.

Sometimes it's faster to do custom than learn a new module. Ya, I know, I didn't learn anything new - but the job will be done and the client will be happy.

But htey do look like highly useful modules for the not too distant future - like when this project gets more complicated and my 10-liner breaks!