If "SHAKSPEARE" spells "ruin," as Managers say,
Tragedians all should be needy!
But a fortune was made by the best of his day,
And an Actor of "notes" was "_Macready_."
* * * * *
Why is the Dissolution of Parliament like the human tongue?--Because
it is in everybody's mouth.
* * * * *
"CUTS!" OR, WE NEVER SPEAK AS WE PASS BY.
[Illustration: _Otto, the Wedding-Guest, singeth:_--]
We never speak as we pass by!
Alas! it was not always so.
But now I cannot catch his eye,
And, when I come, he's prompt to go.
"_Il me reverra._" So I said
When I resigned, his love to try,
But see how WILHELM turns his head!
We never speak as we pass by!
_Not_ indispensable! Absurd!
I built the Empire, made the Crown.
Of Emperor WILHELM who had heard
But for _my_ prowess and renown?
And Emperor WILHELM cocks his nose,
Regards me with averted eye;
And, just as though, we now were foes,
We never speak as we pass by!
The boy, the ingrate, the young cock,
Who thinks he's eagle when he crows;
Old Aquila is _he_ to mock?
I'll cut his comb ere matters close.
And yet, and yet he keeps it up,
And Germany demands not _why_!
He bangs away like a big Krupp--
We never speak as we pass by.
My HERBERT, _you_ should hold my place,
But you must share your sire's cold snub.
Did I promote the lion's race
To be kicked out by its least cub?
This wedding-favour's gay and smart.
I to Vienna's bridal fly;
But something rankles in my heart;--
We never speak as we pass by!
Will FRANCIS-JOSEPH see his way
To--help _Coriolanus_ back?
I can't believe I've had my day;
It makes ambition's heart-strings crack.
But that imperious youngster shuts
The door of hope howe'er I try.
Are we for ever to be "cuts,"
And _never_ speak as we pass by?
* * * * *
[Illustration: ADVANTAGES OF MARSUPIALISM.
"I'M SO TIRED, MUMMY. I WISH YOU WERE A KANGAROO!"
"WHY, DARLING?"
"TO CARRY ME HOME IN YOUR POCKET!"]
* * * * *