Punch (77.1879)

86

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[August 30, U79.

NEPTUNE TO THE NEW LIGHT.

Neptunus de profundus loquitur:—

unions race, these Islanders, but tough ;

Given to fuss, yet brave, and not soon beaten!
I've nursed 'em in a fashion stern and rough,
As is the sea they've fixed their white-wall'd
seat on;

And yet they seem to like their grand sire gruff.

It has stood well, this tower of sturdy Smeaton ;
And now two Princes place a well-squared steady
stone

As the beginning of a brand-new Eddystone.

I baulked 'em once, for fun, now let 'em go it,
Prince, Duke, Peer, Admiral, the whole swell
lot of 'em.

'Tis meant to foil my tantrums, and I know it.

How soon though I could scare the biggest pot of 'em
With a big storm ! 1 will not though ; no, blow it!

'Twould disappoint the Nobs, a well-filled yacht of 'em.
Play Polyphemus to their " Galatea " ?
No, that were not a genial idea!

Down winds, and waves flow smoothly for awbile,
Let the Prince ply the trowel, place tbe bottle ;

I '11 show 'em Neptune on his boys can smile ;
I 'd cheer, but that the brine makes hoarse my throttle.

They gave it mouth though bravely. Tbat 's the style !
Prince, Duke, Swell Tar, M.P.—a motley tottle!

With a red-hooded Doctor of Divinity,

And the whole Corporation of the Trinity.

Well, man loves ceremonial and full dress,
And can't hold celebrations without shouting;

I don't mind drinking to their task's success.

I '11 test it, though; and when my winds are flouting
The pile's broad base, and my wild winds' fierce stress

Is on it, and storm floods are pelting, spouting,
Let's hope the tower may boast a long survival,
And Douglas prove old Smeaton's worthy rival.

Winks to the Wise.

The Conservative Government may be popular at present, but
they have spent a mint of money, and—"Wait till they present the
Bill." So, virtually, said Mr. Gladstone, the other day, to the
Liberal Electors of Chester. At the coming Election, it may be
hoped that our William himself, in the character of a candidate,
will also present a Bill, and that the Bill will be truly honoured by
a British Constituency in returning, otherwise than a British Grand
Jury returns, a true Bill.