Punch (85.1883)

138

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[September 22, 1883.

CRICKETIANA.

Lucy Mildmay (who is fond of technical terms). “By the way—A—are they playing ‘Rugby’ or ‘Association’ ? ”

ON THE SKYE-LARK.

A Song of High Jinks among High Personages in High Latitudes,
dedicated in a, holiday humour, but with profound respect, to whom
it may concern.

Air—“ Jack Robinson.'”

The perils and the pothers of the Session past,

The Pembroke Castle Northward ho ! was bound at last,

And William to the winds all his longshore troubles cast;

And chief among his messmates was Alf Ten-ny-son.

For Alfred had a tenor voice, and songs could sing galore,

And he twangled “ like an angel” on a harp he always bore,

And along -with the crew he had come away from shore,

As Minstrel for the voyage—Alfred Ten-ny-son !

Singing toddi-oddi-iddi-iddi-um-tum-tay! &c.

For William he had met with him, and cried, “ I say,

Mayhap you’d not object that harp to twangle and to play,

Like the old Sirens, out at sea ? ” The Minstrel answered, “ Nay,

I shouldn’t,—not a morsel,” says Alf Ten-ny-son.

Says William to him, “ I have joined this here ship,

And my shore-going comrades I have given all the slip,

So mayhap you will partake our cruise and join us for the trip.”

“ You ’re a right good sort of fellow,” says Alf Ten-ny-son.

Singing toddi-oddi, &c.

So upon the Pembroke Castle’s poop they both sat dowm,

A-talking of great statesmen and of bards of high renown ;

And they drank as much—say nectar—as might come to half-a-crown.

“ This is really very jolly"! ” says Alf Ten-ny-son.

As William was about another long yarn to out-pay,

A Sawbones party came abaft—in nautical array.

“ Why, shiver me! ” says William, “if here isn’t that Sir A-.”

“Who’d ha’ thought of seeing you here ? ” says Alf Ten-ny-son.

Singing toddi-oddi, &c.

The Sawbones he seemed staggered. “Eh!” sai^s he, “the talk
called ‘ tall ’ ?

And grog ? and pipes ? Oh! William, such high jinks won’t do at
all!”

“Oh, never mind ! ” says Alfred ; “ don’t you go and raise a squall.

Confound it, don’t you know me ?—I’m Alf Ten-ny-son ! ”

Says William, “ Pray remember the advice you gave to me.

’Tis now three years ago or more since first I tried the sea,

I find these frolics set me up, and so I’m sure will he ! ”

“ Upon my word, he hits it,” says Alf Ten-ny-son.

Singing toddi-oddi, &c.

Says the Sawbones, says he, “ Well, it may be as you state,

But you do not mean to say you’ve got this Idyll chap as mate ?

You'know you promised me to keep jaw-tackle taut.” “ Just wait,
And you ’ll find we ’re on the ‘ Skyelark,’ ” says Alf Ten-ny-son.
So he plumped down on a barrel, and the laurels round his head
Took a Bacchanalian rake, and on his harp he twan-gle-ed,

Whilst William danced a hornpipe, with a light elastic tread.

“ There, that doesn’t look like doldrums,” says Alf Ten-ny-son.

Singing toddi-oddi, &c.

Then the Sawbones hitched his trousers and he—measured out a glass—
Which wasn’t homoeopathic—and he cried, “Well, let it pass ! ”
Then he lit his pipe and listened. “Why, a man must be an ass
To play the owl for ever ! ” says Alf Ten-ny-son.

“ To fret and stew about things much is all in vain.

We are off to Skye and Orkney, and ‘ to Rorroway o’er the main’-

As to William, when to Westminster he does come back again-

Then they were off ere one could say “ Alf Ten-ny-son ! ”

Singing toddi-oddi-iddi-iddi-um-tum-tay! &e.

Poor Mr. Farini ! The Whale is dead! So like a Whale too ’
“0 Whaley Whaley 0!” Mr. Farini may cry in this whale of
tears, but he cannot raise a whale, except on the back of that little
boy who may be jeering at his misfortunes. But we draw a wale
over the proceedings.

It is no use the French sending out raw troops to China, as the
broiling heat will cook them, and they ’ll be sent back within a very
short time of their arrival thoroughly done.