I have seen you in the bondage of the camp With a heel-rope on a pastern raw and red, Up and fighting at the stable-picket's tramp With the courage of the way that you were bred; I have seen you standing, broken, in the rain, Lone and fretting for a yesterday's caress; I have seen your valour spur you up again From the sorrow that your patient eyes express. Now in dreams I see your squadron at the Front, You a war-horse with a hero on your back, Taking bugles for the horn-blast of the hunt, Taking musketry for music of the pack; Made and mannered to the pattern of the rest, Gathered foam--and maybe blood--upon your rein, You'll be up among the foremost and the best, Or we'll never trust in Leicestershire again! * * * * * IN A GOOD CAUSE. War or no war, the children must have their Christmas presents, and they wouldn't look at the usual toys made in Germany, even if they could be had this year. The Women's Emergency Corps has the matter in hand. Some fascinating models have been designed and registered, and many women who were in need of work are engaged in copying them under skilled direction. Funds are needed badly at the start, though the scheme will eventually support itself. For the children's sake, and even more for the sake of the women-breadwinners to whom the war has brought distress, _Mr. Punch_ begs his generous friends to help this work. Gifts should be sent to The Duchess of Marlborough, Old Bedford College, 8, York Place, Baker Street, W. * * * * * IN MEMORY. TO THOSE WHO DIED IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WAR. Not theirs to triumph yet; but, where they stood, Falling, to dye the earth with brave men's blood For England's sake and duty. Be their name Sacred among us. Wouldst thou seek to frame Their fitting epitaph? Then let it be Simple, as that which marked Thermopylæ:-- "_Tell it in England, thou that passest by, Here faithful to their charge her soldiers lie._" * * * * * Illustration: THE GREAT GOTH. DESIGN FOR A STAINED-GLASS WINDOW IN A NEO-GOTHIC CATHEDRAL AT POTSDAM. * * * * * Illustration: _Newly-gazetted Subaltern._ "GIRLS! GIRLS! YOU REALLY MUSTN'T CROWD ROUND ME LIKE THIS. I'VE MISSED TWO SALUTES ALREADY." * * * * * OUR DUMB ENEMIES.