Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, August 1, 1891 — John Shaqi
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, August 1, 1891Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, August 1, 1891
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
Ah! Spur, whip, and bridle are all very well,
For a rider's equipment includes some "Coercion,"
But Jehu may need an additional spell,
Whether riding a race or for simple diversion.
There are reasons for giving a racer his head,
And some flocks are driven and others are led.
Improved? Whillaloo! Fancy HEALY the hot
Politely approving of "BALFOUR the Brutal"!
How pleasant to picture the Pig at full trot,
Without that "hard riding" some fancy must suit all!
Too good to be true? That time only can show.
'Tis something that Piggy should _promise_ to "go."
Your Pig is a "gintleman,"--take him aright;
Or so those maintain who best know the 'cute creature.
If you make him "eat stick" in excess he'll show fight.
The goad and the snout-ring we've tried. This new feature--
A lure in advance--may be worth being tried.
That Piggy _can_ go--and this rider _can_ ride!
* * * * *
ENTHUSIASM À LA RUSSE!
SCENE--_A Bureau de Police at St. Petersburg. Present,
Russian Bigwig and Subordinate._
_Russian Bigwig_ (_reading letter_). "And they are to be received with
the greatest possible enthusiasm!" I can scarcely believe my eyes! The
Fleet of the French Republic!
_Subordinate_ (_using a Muscovite imprecation_). _Caviare droski!_
_Rus. Big._ (_severely_). Slave! (Sub. _cringes_.) Another word, and
I will have you knouted to death! It is the wish of our Little Father,
the Czar of the Universe.
[_They both fall on their knees, remove their hats, and sing
the National Hymn._
_Sub._ (_bowing to the ground_). And what are the Imperial wishes?
_Rus. Big._ That not only shall the "_Marseillaise_" be tolerated when
played by the French, but also be performed by our own bands. (_With a
burst of rage._) Oh, _Caviare droski!_
_Sub._ (_on his knees_). I would also add an oath, O Supreme
Protector-of-the-Spirit-of-my-dead-Grandmother, had you not forbidden
that extreme expression of opinion.
_Rus. Big._ You recall me to myself. O
Son-of-PETER-son-of-PETER-son-of-PETER-son-of-TOMMY. I was wrong. But
it makes my blood boil to think that our Master and his ancestors who
scorned LOUIS PHILIPPE and NAPOLEON III. should recognise a Republic!
_Sub._ (_aside_). Say you so--this to the CZAR--thou Nihilist!
(_Aloud._) My Lord-the-comforter-of-the-spirit-of-my-first-cousin-once-
removed-on-my-mother's-side, is indeed right! It is a painful sight!
_Rus. Big._ (_aside_). Say you so--this to the CZAR--thou Nihilist!
(_Aloud._) But perhaps we might improve matters. Supposing that the
"_Marseillaise_" were imperfectly performed?
_Sub._ (_with note-book_). Excellent, my Lord! excellent! It shall
be played out of tune on a score of regimental bands! Good, my Lord!
good!
_Rus. Big._ And could not a translation be furnished suggesting ideas
foreign to the original?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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