Punch: Punch (56.1869)

IV

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[July 3, 1869.

“ Wee, Sire. But there is another passage in the writings of that misguided party but meritorious poet, and
though the splash of these infernal waves interferes with the effect of my elocution, I take leave to recite that passage.

Still, Freedom, still, thy banner, tom but flying,
Streams like a thunder-cloud against the wind.
Thy trumpet voice, though broken now and dying,
The loudest that the tempest leaves behind.”

“ I am not given to sentiment, Sire, but it is liked on the Continong. Will you extract my meaning in the
above recitation ? ”

“ I understand.”

“ Why then rejoice therefore, Sire, as the Divine Williams observes. For I credit you with meaning well. To
understand where one is, and to intend to act rightly, be twain steps in the road to honour. I believe I am spoiling
True Thomas of Chelsea, but he loves me and will pardon.”

“ Have you visited the French Gallery in Pall Mall?”

“ Aye, Sire, and with pleasure.”

“ On the East wall is a portrait of a Boy.”

“ A princely Boy, Sire, and you desire that years hence the catalogue that describes his portrait should call him
what his father is now called. Rem tetegi ? ”

“ Acu.”

“ He will be Emperor over free men, Sire, or no Emperor at all.”

“ Bridge the space between fact and lesson, Mr. Punch. You say half, and the half which ought to have
Ascendency is my enemy. Am I to throw the gates open to him ? ”

“ Do you prefer that he should batter them open ? ”

“ Batter,” said the Emperor, with a kindling war-glance that swept the Boulevards. “ I had an Uncle.”

“ They say so at St. Helena,” said Mr. Punch, kindly. “ Come, Sire, you are a better man than he, and too

good for thoughts like those. If a nation cannot be governed without a constitution of cannon, it is not worth

governing. Do you believe that of the France you have recently discovered to be noble?”

“ I am bewildered,” said the Emperor. “ Holdfast is a good dog, as your proverb is.”

“ There was another dog, Sire, who wanted more than was good for him, and so lost all. Our Williams has

said, ‘ ’Tis better using France than trusting France,’ but on my honour, Majesty, I think you might act on the

opposite rule.”

“ And trust France?”

“ Half of which—yes, Sire, in spite of that. Because France, which is generous, would then begin to trust you.
Conquer France, Sire. Nobody else can do it. It will be a grander campaign than any of your Uncle’s, and it will
have neither a Moscow nor a Waterloo.”

“ I will think about it,” said the Emperor, moodily, turning away his canoe and raising his hat.

“ Don't think too long, Sire,” cried Mr. Punch as His Majesty departed. And read to y<?ur young Prince my

Jfiftn-Sitl!) Ikluntc.