So, 'Ninety-Five, my boy, you've come at last!
Another year has gone, and I am here
To greet you, as your brothers in the past
Were greeted on their coming, year by year;
For it's always been my practice, Sir--a bit of _Punch's_ lore--
Since the day that I was volumed, until now I'm fifty-four
Aye, fifty-three New Years I've welcomed. This
I pray to Heaven in its arms may bear
A whole New Yearful of a nation's bliss--
A world without a tear, without a care.
'Tis thus that I have prayed, young Sir, full many years before;
But to know how oft I've prayed in vain, would make your young heart sore.
The Year that's dead was better, sure, than some;
But even he brought with him strikes and war,
Whose ghastly horrors smote the soft heart numb
And wrung and chilled it to the very core.
'Twas a villainous attention, this suffering and gore,
That we'd rather have dispensed with, from your brother 'Ninety-Four
But even he, my lad, a jest could work,
And on occasion smile, and nod, and beck;
To England gave--a rising Son of York,
And gave to Ireland--Mr. GLADSTONE'S cheque!
Thus tickling Mr. BULL from smiles and laughter to a roar.
But hearty laughs like these, my friend, were few in 'Ninety-Four.
And you, young shaver, what is it you bring?
Razor and soap, like shavers young and old--
The soap to soothe, razor to cut and sting?--
Will wedding-bell be heard, and death-knell toll'd?
You see, my lad, we're anxious as to what you have in store,
For there's still some things to put to rights bequeathed by Ninety-Four.
In Parliament, no doubt, you'll make your game--
In Camp, and Court, and County Council, too?
Make sport of love--make foul an honoured name--
And all the little fun you're wont to do?
Well--take my tip. Just do your level best, remember! For
The blame, my son, lies at your own, not _Mr. Punch's_ door.
So mind, young Sir, for _Mr. Punch's_ eye
Is cocked upon you through your little life.
Go--rule the world!--and if before you die
You fill the earth with joy instead of strife,
You'll be the first of all your race--for all the smiles they wore--
That gave the country what she asked--from 0 to '94!
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