Punch (88.1885)

162

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[Appil 4, 1885.

HOME RULE.

Mrs. Common Councilman. “ Why should ye be meddlin’ with what ye don’t understand, Mike ? Shure, if it hadn't
BEEN FOK YOUK DIETY POLITICS, Me AND THE GuKLS MIGHT BE LOOKIN’ FORWAKD TO TAKIN’ THE FlURE WITH His ROYAL HlQH-
NESS, AND YE MIGHT HA’ BEEN MADE A Bar’nET, AND I SHOULD HA’ BEEN My LaDY ! ”

READY!

Ready ! Not rashly courting fieroe collision
With whatsoever quarry cross the way ;

Not looking forth with hate-ensanguined vision,
Like long-leashed war-dogs eager for the fray;

But steadfastly on guard, the watohful warders
Of a domain which honour bids them keep.

And fiercely, furtively toward whose borders
Sinister footsteps creep.

Creep as they long have crept, slow but untiring,
With many a pause, but never a retreat.

To what far object of the heart’s desiring
Tend those unechoing but unhalting feet ?

What boots again to ask ? Best calmly, mutely,
To take the sentinel’s unshrinking stand,

Challenging, silently but resolutely,

The threatener of the land.

When side by side they stand, the stout old Lion
And that swift supple Tiger of the East,

Eyes glittering like the belt-stars of Orion,

Who braves the pair should be a brawny beast.

Ursine Colossus from the snow-wastes, truly
You are a monster of amazing thews.

But must the Orient fight it out with Thule ?

’Tis left for you to choose !

These make no menace, but, serene, united,

Under one eye, responsive to one hand,

Stand thus on guard, by growlings unaffrighted.
Consider, Bruin, that united stand !

Trust not to love of peace, proneness to bungle;—
That may be conquered, this be soon set right.

They ’re ready, these twin monarchs of the jungle,
Faithful, and full of fight.

Britannia stands between, regarding proudly
Their sinewy strength, their unity of pose,

Listening, alert. Should the war-drum throb loudly,
With what fleet force she ’ll launch them on her foes!
Not without need ; not hatred hot and heady.

Not battle-fire or blood-thirst moves her mind;

But if wild war must wake, the watchword “ Ready ! ”
Shall ring adown the wind.

‘QUESTION AND ANSWER.”

{Improved extract from coming Parliamentary Report—latest model.)

Mr. Brown wished to know whether the Secretary of State for
War could give any explanation of the fact that a whole British
Army Corps had tumbled off a suspension bridge in the dark and
totally disappeared.

The Marquis of Smartington. No, Sir, I cannot. [Hear, hear.')
But I shall make inquiry, and I have no doubt it won’t occur again.
[Hear !)

Mr. Jones put a question as to the alleged turning bottom upwards
in the Bay of Biscay of the whole of the Channel Fleet.

Sir Thomas Splasshey, in answer to the interrogatory of the Hon.
Member, said that the Admiralty had reoeived intimation of the
manoeuvre in question. {Hear, hear!) He had no doubt it was
all right, and that the gallant Admiral in command knew his own
business best. {Loud cheers.)

Mr. Robinson desired to know what explanation could be given
by the Ordnance Department of the significant fact, that in both of
the recent engagements on sea and land, every gun in our service had,
as alleged, refused to go oft at all and then burst. _

Mr. Bland. None whatever. {Prolonged cheering.)

The House then adjourned.

Song foe the Khedive.—“ Always a Loan !