_The Mahdi_――Why, that’s my little game But I tell you all the same You are most impertinent. An insincere excuse I never, never use, Whatever the emergency. And I never, never ape, In any form or shape, The conduct of the late Lord B. _Chorus_―― What, never? _The Mahdi_――No, never. _Chorus_―― What, never? _The Mahdi_――Well, hardly ever. _Chorus_―― Then give three cheers for the Grand Old Man, The Grand Old Mahdi of Mid-Lothian: Then give three cheers for the Grand Old Man, For the Mahdi of Mid-Lothian. _Manchester Courier._ 1885. ―――― H.M. HOME RULE CORPS. _Captain Gladstone_――I am the captain of this Home Rule Corps! _All_―― And a right good captain too! _Captain_―― You’re a very mix’d lot, Some are cold, some are hot, But you’re safe “pretty far” to go. _All_―― We’re a very mix’d lot, Some are cold, some are hot, But we’re safe “pretty far” to go. _Captain_―― I care for no Whig mutineer, For “three courses” I can steer, Bold pilot in extremity, I’ve never miss’d my mark, With Tory, Turk, or Bismarck. Nor lost the Lib’ral ship at sea! _All_―― What, never? _Captain_―― No, never! _All_―― What, NEVER? _Captain_―― HARDLY ever! _All_―― Hardly ever lost ship at sea! Then give three cheers and one cheer more, For the hardy captain of this Home Rule Corps. _Captain_―― I’ll do my best to satisfy you all―― _All_―― But will you satisfy Parnell? _Captain_―― That is neither here nor there, I play upon the square, And will “box the compass” well! _All_―― We’re neither here nor there, He plays upon the square, And he’ll “box the compass” well _Captain_―― Veil’d words I never use, Nor Lib’ral trust abuse, Whatever the emergency; Lose my temper I may, But friend nor foe can say I ever do it with a big, big D―――― _All_―― What, never? _Captain_―― No, never! _All_―― What, NEVER? _Captain_―― HARDLY ever! _All_―― Hardly ever does it with a big, big D―――― Then give three cheers and one cheer more For the well-bred captain of the Home Rule Corps.