Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 158, March 17, 1920Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 158, March 17, 1920
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
The author's name is not given, but we do not think he has improved
much on SHAKSPEARE.
* * * * *
THE YEOMAN TRANSFORMED.
[In accordance with the new Territorial organisation some
famous Yeomanry Regiments are to become Motor Machine-Gun
Units.]
Can a horseman turn from his heart's desire at the stroke of a
statesman's pen?
Can we learn to fight from a motor-car--we who were mounted men?
In a petrol-tank and a sparking-plug shall we strive to put our
trust,
And hang our spurs as a souvenir to gather reproachful rust?
Shall we never again ride knee to knee in the pomp of squadron line,
With head-ropes white as a mountain drift and curb chains all
a-shine?
Will they dawn no more, those glorious days when the world seemed
all our own,
Who rode as scouts on an errant quest, alive, alert, alone?
Can a man be made by a motor-car as a man is made by a horse,
With strength in his back and legs and arms, and a brain of swift
resource?
We cared for our mounts before ourselves, their thirst before our
thirst;
Shall we come to learn, with the same content, to think of an
engine first?
Grousing enough. Though times have changed a man may be needed yet.
Shall we stand aloof in an idle dream to nourish a vain regret?
Whatever England may ask of us our service must be hers;
And a horseman's quality 's in his heart and not in a pair of spurs.
W.K.H.
* * * * *
THE GREAT MUTTON CAMPAIGN.
The recent disclosures concerning the enormous stocks of frozen mutton
held by the Ministry of Food--some of it killed two years ago--have
put the Government on their mettle, and a vigorous campaign is now in
preparation with the object of inducing the public to assist in the
disposal of these overgrown supplies. Mr. Punch, being in touch with
sources of information not accessible to the general Press, has been
able to secure an advance copy of a popular appeal Which is about to
be issued broadcast by the Government. It runs as follows:--
"Men, Women and Children of the United Kingdom!"
"The time has now arrived when each one of you is privileged to
illumine these drab days of peace with a show of patriotism no less
brilliant than that which lit up the dark years of war. The task that
is demanded is a simple one, and no heavy price is exacted; all that
is required is a single-minded concentration upon the one essential
need of the moment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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