Only one more "little war,"--of course, Precipitate pluck, and inadequate force-- Such wars as our England wages At terrible cost in British lives, And orphan children and widowed wives, Whereat, though greatly our glory thrives, Our conscience sometimes rages. But such little wars may need great hearts, And the wandering heroes who play their parts For England, the wide world over; Fight as well though they fight--and fall-- In a leagured hut, by a shattered wall, As though the purple of WELLINGTON'S pall Each death-cold breast should cover. Devotion, fortitude, discipline? Yes! They always shine in the perilous press, Where British soldiers rally. Shine as bright in the hopeless dark Of the mad _mêlée_, though there's none to mark The scattered wreckage ruddy and stark Of the last brave stand or sally. We rejoice to hear, though we knew we should, Chitral's defenders again made good The glorious old tradition Of loyalty to the flying flag. Cynics may dub it the torn red rag, But our tongues shall laud, whilst those tongues can wag, That splendid "superstition." The men who stood, and the men who came O'er ice-bound ridges with hearts aflame, To relieve their leagured brothers, Have all done well; and the tawny skin Of those who helped us to war and win,-- Well, your little Englander's less akin To England than those others! "For this relief, much thanks!" And thanks To dead, and living, and of all ranks. Forget their service? Never! "Small time," indeed, but as brightly shone "This star of England," as it had done On that stricken field when the lurid sun Of the Corsican sank for ever. * * * * * A FIRST STEP TOWARDS HISTRIONICS. (_Under the guidance of Herr Goethemann._) _Question._ Have you witnessed the performance of the Actor-manager? _Answer._ No, but I have perused the tragedy of the Author-publisher. _Q._ Is it a curtain-raiser? _A._ No, but it is a hair-lifter, in three acts. _Q._ How many are the persons of the drama? _A._ Four. _Q._ Of these, how many are objectionable? _A._ Five. _Q._ Kindly resolve this paradox. _A._ All are objectionable that come on the stage, and one that doesn't. _Q._ You speak of the stage; where has the play been given? _A._ Nowhere. It has not received a license. _Q._ Is it the close season? _A._ No, but so much private license was taken by the Author-publisher that the public censor did not see his way to adding to the amount. _Q._ Then we shall not see it interpreted by intelligent actors? _A._ No, for even if license were granted, the Author-publisher would take all the parts himself. _Q._ I do not follow this scheme of plurality. _A._ I quote from his own printed advertisement, "The right of performing in public this play (_sic_) is reserved by the author." _Q._ Did you state that it is a tragedy? _A._ Yes, but inclining to farce.