Punch (95.1888)

134

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [September 22, 1888.

WOOING THE AFRICAN VENUS.

[Some way after Homer's Hymn to Aphrodite.)

[A Charter has just been granted to the Imperial British East Africa Company. This Company will now administer and develop a territory with an
estimated area of about 50,000 square miles, including :some of the most fertile and salubrious regions of Eastern Africa.]

Tke force, 0 Muse, and functions now unfold
Of Afric's Venus, graced with mines of gold ;
Who e'en in Bismabcx lights love's furious
fire,

And makes all men woo her with hot desire.

From all earth's nations, Frenchman, Por-
tuguese, [seas,
From Yankee shores and from all Europe's
Adventurous patriots crowd to seek and share
Love of the Libyan Venus. Three there are

Whose minds are mainly set upon that love:
The Briton, proud as iEgis-bearing Jove,
Who deems ner indevirginate, her eyes
Being black and burning, like her own fierce
skies.