"Oh, stay," the maiden said, "and test Our Latakia--'tis the best!" He grasped his packet of birds'-eye, And only muttered with a sigh, "Tobacco smoke!" "Beware; don't set your room alight-- The college might object--good-night!" Such were the words the scholar spoke, And scarcely heard through closing oak, "Tobacco smoke!" That Freshman by his scout was found Lying all prone upon the ground, And still his hand grasped like a vice The "baccy"-pouch with strange device, "Tobacco smoke!" * * * * * R. C., Oxford. _College Rhymes_, 1864. * * * * * "OBSTRUCTIONISTS." (_By a Lover of Longfellow, after spending Twenty-six Hours in the House of Commons._) The shades of night were falling fast, As through St. Stephen's portals passed An Irish band, not over nice, Whose banners bore the strange device-- "Obstructionists!" Each brow was sad, each eye beneath Glared at Cavan, Dungarvan, Meath; And soon in Erin's brogue was heard Again their policy absurd-- "Obstructionists!" * * * * * "Tempt not the Commons," Northcote said, "Dark lowers the tempest overhead; Too long its rules have been defied;" But still the Irish rowdies cried-- "Obstructionists!" * * * * * "Beware the Ministerial branch-- Beware the Tory avalanche!" Was Biggar's caution, and he smiled, When for a nap he left the wild "Obstructionists!" At noon that day O'Donnell craved A respite, but the Commons braved The contest, and their only prayer Was to demolish then and there-- "Obstructionists!" The chaplain came his usual round, The Commons sitting still he found, Using each possible device To crush that band, not over nice-- "Obstructionists!" But late on that eventful day The "stumbling blocks" were kicked away; South Africa rejoiced afar, And Biggar moaned, "It's done we are!"-- "Obstructionists!" _Funny Folks._ * * * * * ENDYMION. The shades of night were falling fast Round Hughenden,--for some time past A Statesman, working day and night, A flowery fiction did indite-- _Endymion_. His hair was dark, and you could trace A soupçon of an ancient race; And still, in quite his early way, He wrote of Lords and Ladies gay-- _Endymion_.