["I learn from St. Petersburg, that, last Saturday,
conferences were begun between Russia and Germany on the
admission of the former to the new commercial treaties."--_The
Times Paris Correspondent on "Russia and the Central
Commercial League."_]
_La Belle France, the Forsaken One, loquitur_:--
What do I hear? Oh, do I hear aright,
Over the garden wall?
My latest love, my gallant Muscovite,
Is this the end, this all?
My heartbeats fast, a mist obscures my sight.
Support me, or I fall!
What can he mean? Whatever is she at?--
Ah! well I know _her_ game!
GERMANIA is a vile coquette, a cat.
Seducing my new flame
With mercenary lures, and low at that!
It is a cruel shame!
But six short months ago and I to him
Indeed seemed all in all.
A stalwart lover, though _tant soit peu_ grim,
I fancied him my thrall.
And was it after all pretence, or whim?
Oh, prospect, to appal!
I know my envious rivals said as much,[1]
But that I deemed their spite,
Was't but my money he desired to clutch?
I lent it--with delight!
Were his mere venal vows? His bonds but such
As SAMSON snapped at sight?
See how she purrs, false puss! She deems her _dot_
May well out-glitter mine.
And he! That slow seductive smile I know.
At Cronstadt by the brine,
To that dear dulcet voice, not long ago,
My ears did I incline.
Ah! and those fine moustachios' conquering curl
Subdued my maiden heart.
For me those tendril-tips he'd twist and twirl,
Looking so gay, so smart;
And now he does it for another girl,
And I--I stand apart.
Did I not give my heart to him--false one!--
And also--well, my "stocking"?
Nor after her "commercial" charms he'll run,
My modest beauties mocking.
Hist! I believe of me they're making fun!
_O Ciel_! 'tis simply shocking!
Hist! I can hear her, the sly cat. How fond
Her glances bold and bright!
Her bag is brimming, mine's a broken bond.
I dreamed not me he'd slight
For such mere bagman beauty, tamely blonde,
But--ah! _was_ BLOWITZ right?
[_Left doubting._
[Footnote 1: "The success of a Russian Loan is not dearly purchased by
a little effusion, which, after all, commits Russia to nothing." (See
Cartoon "Turning the Tables," Sept. 26, 1891.)]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A TERRIBLE THREAT.
Impatient Old Gentleman (to Female Post-Office Assistant, who is
chatting pleasantly with an agreeable acquaintance). "LOOK HERE,
YOUNG WOMAN, IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME MY CHANGE, CONFOUND IT, I'M HANGED
IF I DON'T GO AWAY _WITHOUT IT_!"]
* * * * *
DR. VAUGHAN, of Salford, is to be the New Roman Catholic Archbishop of
Westminster. He is a bright cheerful-looking man now, but it is to
be feared that the extra toil and trouble of London may soon give his
features a Care-Vaughan expression.
* * * * *