He cocks a snook at slate and book. He's had his work _this_ term, boys, But has contrived, by hook or crook, To keep his footing firm, boys. He's had to fight, like DIBDIN'S tar, 'Gainst many a would-be boarder. It needed wit as well as war To keep the school in order. But he has shown both wit and grit, And patience linked about it. "Ho ho! ha ha! Tra-la-la-la!"-- Young ARTY hears him shout it. ARTY had hoped he could have coped With BILL, and licked him hollow; That JACK had kicked, and SANDY moped, And PAT refused to follow. But BILL has proved a dodgy one, As well as a hard hitter; And that has somewhat marred the fun, And disappointment's bitter. What wonder then BILL'S Tra-la-la Sets ARTY shouting shrilly, "Boohoo and pah! Yah-boo-yah-bah! You wait a bit, Big BILLY! "With spur and rein, whip-stroke and strain, Jehu _plus_ artful jockey, You've kept your team in tow again, And you look blessed cocky. Wait till the way shows sludge and clay, And you the pace would quicken! Over you'll roll long ere the goal, And _then_ the fun will thicken!"-- BILL cocks his chins, and skips and grins Like any Jumping-Jingle. His loud Ha, ha! Tra-la-la-la! Sets ARTY'S blood a-tingle. "Bah! You've done fairly well this half: Think you'll survive another As the school's 'Cock,' you great fat calf? Look out for my Big Brother! When _he_ gets hold of you,--my eye!-- You won't look quite so jolly. Think you've licked me! Wait till you try A round or two with SOLLY! He's waiting for a turn at you! _You_ think you're a smart smiter? 'Tra-la-la-la'? Yah! bully! yah! _He_'ll show you who's cock fighter!" * * * * * To Tara, My (Un-)Fair Neighbour. (_"Moore"--where this comes from._) "The harp that once through TARA'S walls" Poor me disturbed in bed, Is nightly twang'd to feline squalls That wrack my aching head. I sleep not as in former days, Her voice cries "Sleep no more!" Ah, would she hadn't got this craze, And did not live next door! * * * * * A NEW LITERARY VENTURE.--In distinct opposition to the "Key-note series" will be started a "Wed-lock-and-Key note series." * * * * * "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE." ["Canada, unlike the mother-country, has the sense to be proud of its minor poets."--_Mr. Le Gallienne in "The Realm."_] Really this bitter and bold accusation of Conduct so culpable cannot be borne; Are we indeed but a barbarous nation of Philistines treating our poets with scorn? Are we contemptuous, then, in reality, Of the effusions our lyricists write-- Singing sweet songs of the Modern Morality, Praising each other from morning to night?