What sights of soft folks he cajol’d with his speeches, All polished so fair, and so “painted” withal; His partisans stuck to his side like leeches, And the G.O.M. lorded it over them all. Oft times were his enemies gibing and jeering, But ’twas all one to Bill, their groaning or cheering; For praise or for blame he but little did care, So long as he filled the Prime Minister’s chair. And yet, but to see how strangely things happen! As he chopped away, bowing and smiling as well, He was ply’d by an Irishman, caught by his blarney, One known by the name of Charles Stewart Parnell. And would this Parnell but keep him in power, He’d banish the clouds that o’er Erin did lower, Defying old Salisbury, and “Randy” so glib, E’en though it would cost him full many a fib. _Truth._ July 15. 1886. ―――― THE JOLLY YOUNG RIFLEMAN. (A Roundelay for Ranelagh.) Did you ever hear tell of a jolly young Rifleman, Who as Adonis his charms used to try? He curled his side-locks with such skill and dexterity, Winning each heart and enchanting each eye. He stood so straight, he marched so steadily, The Volunteers came at his call so readily, And he pranced at their head with so princely an air, That he had the good word of the Brave and the Fair. This Rifleman young never seemed to grow older, So trim was his mien, and so chirpy withal; He was always A 1 to each beauteous beholder, And youths mustered proudly at RANELAGH’S[11] call And though some folk might be chaffing or jeering, ’Twas all one to him their flouting and fleering, For how should our Rifleman ever know care, While he wins the good word of the Brave and the Fair? _Punch._ March 24, 1883. ―――― TOO JOLLY BY HALF. Did you ever hear tell of the jolly young waterman, Writ of by Dibdin and sung of by Reeves? He has gone up aloft, but his grandson surviving him, Though jollier still, no such homage receives. Said this jolly young sprig from a jolly old waterman, “Dear Mr. Bull, I can steer in a style Such as no foreigner ever could rival yet; _Do_ let me manage your boats on the Nile. “I can shoot all the rapids and likewise your enemies, Oh! how for nautical glory I pant! _Shall_ I be suffered to win it right jollily?” Quoth dear Mr. Bull, “You’re too jolly. _You shant!_” _Judy._ September 10, 1884. (Canadian boatmen were employed in the Soudan Expedition.) ――――:o:―――― THE HIGH-METTLED RACER.