Prithee, good pedagogue, we lend our ears To feed on explanation. It appears That this pet lamb has passed the world’s estate Of treachery, and love that loves to prate Of love, while loving but the sound The gnashing lips that bear it breathe around, Beseemeth he would with her spangle nights And wear her as the stars wear satellites, To him she is the lightning to the cloud, The rain to summer, to death the shroud, Dreams to eyes, sleep to the weary, rest To the yearning or ambitious breast. We prithee, pedagogue, if so be you know, Why does this sheep love little Mary so? SHAKESPEARE. ――――:o:―――― William had a big gingham, Its folds were strong and broad; And everywhere that William came That gingham too abode. Lord Rosey put it up one day, And many sheltered there; It made the Tories laugh and play To see the huge affair. To shut it up their leaders tried, But still its folds are spread, And ’neath them Libs and Rads abide Around their Grand Old Head. “Why do they all love William so?” The jealous Tories cry. “Because he trusteth us you know,” The people loud reply. SCRAWLER. _Truth._ October 15, 1885. ―――― Mary had a little corn Upon her little toe, And everywhere that Mary went The corn was sure to go. But Mary bought an Alcock’s shield, And stuck it on her toe; And then she ran about alone, For the corn soon had to go. And Mary, grown up, tells the tale, Of that time, long ago, When she was little Mary with That corn upon her toe. ―――― Mary had a little lamb, With coat as black as soot, And into Mary’s cup of milk It put its dirty foot. Now Mary, a straightforward girl, Who hated any sham, Rapped out a naughty little word That rhymed with Mary’s lamb. HUSSAR. _Truth._ September 30, 1886. ―――― Mary had a pot of jam Presented by the cook, And everywhere that Mary went, The luscious jar she took. She carried it to school one day, Which was against the rule; And when the teacher looked away, She ate the jam in school. At last the teacher found her out, And, oh! was most severe: But what the imposition was It doth not well appear. Now Mary soon began to roll Her head upon her arm, And felt dismayed, and much afraid The jam had done her harm. “Oh! why does Mary’s head ache so” The curious children cry, “Quaejam est, ea _sic_ erit,” The teacher did reply. C. W. G. _Newcastle Weekly Chronicle._ 1887. ―――― JOSEPH AND HIS JESSE.