Forthwith this tongue of mine was stirred To quenchless fluency, Which forced me to begin my tale, As now I tell it thee. Since then, at an uncertain hour, This ecstasy returns; And till my thrice-told tale is through The heart within me burns. I pass, like _Puck_, from land to land, I have strange power of speech; That moment that his face I see I know the man that must hear me, To him my tale I teach. * * * * * What loud uproar bursts from that door! They're at it hotly there: Will they be silenced by the tale Told by the Mariner? Bim! Boom! There goes Big Ben's deep bell! The Speaker's in the Chair! * * * * * [Illustration: THE PARLIAMENTARY "ANCIENT MARINER." "IT IS AN ANCIENT MARINER, AND HE STOPPETH ONE OF THREE. 'BY THY SCANT GREY LOCKS AND GLITTERING EYE, NOW WHEREFORE STOPP'ST THOU ME?'" ] * * * * * [Illustration: A CHECK. _Huntsman_. "SEEN THE FOX, MY BOY?" _Boy_. "NO, I AIN'T!" _Huntsman_. "THEN, WHAT ARE YOU HOLLARIN' FOR?" _Boy_ (_who has been scaring Rooks_). "'COS I'M PAID FOR IT!"] * * * * * THE DEATH PENALTY; OR, WHO'S TO BLAME? ACT I. SCENE--_House of Commons, rather sparsely attended, it being the occasion of a statement on the needs of the Army to be made by the_ Secretary for War. _Secretary for War_ (_continuing his speech_). And so, Mr. SPEAKER, I trust that I have justified the demand I have made for so many millions for building Barracks, and conclusively proved that the Authorities responsible for our military efficiency are thoroughly alive to the necessity not only of safeguarding the lives, but of increasing the comfort, of our gallant defenders. (_Cheers_.) ACT II. SCENE--_Celebrated London Barracks. Fire just broken out in top storey of Married Soldiers' Quarters, crowded with women and children. Soldiers rushing for ladders. Some children handed up through a trap-door, which is supposed to lead to roof. No exit on to roof available, and children being slowly smothered. Screams. Great excitement._ _Non-Commissioned Officer_. Ha! Fire in the "Rookery!" And it'll burn like paper, being old and rotten! Now, where's the fellow who ought to have the key of the hydrant? (_Exit in search of him._) _Labourer employed at Barracks_ (_entering hastily_). Hullo! A fire! Where's that key of mine for the hydrants? Can't attend to _that_, however, as there's my wife and family to be saved! (_Rushes out, and hydrants cannot be unlocked for ten minutes. When they are, they are found to be without water!_) _Colonel Commanding the Battalion_ (_just arrived on scene_). No water! Well, of course there isn't! Hasn't the War Office ordered it to be turned off at night, spite of my protests? Tell the Fire-Brigade men to get water wherever they can!