Lincoln, spare that tree, Touch not a single bough, Though in the way to be, Oh, stand up for it now. Still, let its shade expand, Where, round the social pot, The HANSOM cabmen stand―― Oh, LINCOLN, harm it not! * * * * * Thy sire, great Clumber’s King, Thou’st certain to offend―― _His_ son do such a thing!―― The world draws to an end Old Laws, old Dukes, old Trees, Delay, decay, dry-rot: Let PEEL do as he please, But, LINCOLN, harm them not! _Punch._ 1846. [While Lord Lincoln, son of the Duke of Newcastle, was First Commissioner of Woods and Forests, a proposal was made to cut down some of the old trees in the West-end of London, which were said to be in the way.] THE HYDE PARK CORNER CLOCK. Gasman, light that clock, The time I cannot see; It can’t be more than twelve, And yet it looks like three! Its hands are all confused, Its numbers none can trace: Say, is that humble clock Ashamed to show its face! It can’t be very late: True, I’ve been out to sup: But, ho! what says the clock? Come, Gasman, light it up. Say, can the mist be caused By fumes of generous wine? Is it three-quarters past eleven, Or is it only nine! Is it half after twelve, Or six, or eight, or two? That dismal rushlight kept inside No good on earth can do. When I go home to bed I’m quite afraid to knock, If I’ve no notion of the hour―― So, Gasman light that clock. _Punch._ 1846. ―――― THE “TREE OF LIBERTY.” Frenchman, spare that tree, Its roots lie very low; You’d better let it be―― Elsewhere ’twill never grow * * * * * Vitality, to-day, Within it there may be, It perishes when moved away―― So, Frenchman, spare that tree. _Punch._ 1848. ―――― AN IMPASSIONED APPEAL TO THE PREMIER. (By a very Common Councilman). Gladstone, spare that _Tree_! (_Of course I means the Corporation._) Touch not a single _bough_; (_That is, neither the Court of Aldermen or the Court of Common Council._) In _youth_ it sheltered me, (_When I was bound a Prentice._) And I’ll protect it _now_. (_Now that I’m a full-blown Common Councilman._) ’Twas my forefather’s hand (_A jolly long time ago, when the Saxons and Danes was here._) That placed it near this spot; (_At the bottom of King Street, Cheapside._) Then, GLADSTONE, _let it stand_, (_Till it’s blowed down as well as blowed up._) _Thy Ax_ should harm it not. (_Ax of Parlement, of course._)