"Shall I fetch your thunderbolt, Jove?" inquired
Ganymede.--_Ixion in Heaven._
_Modern Jupiter loquitur:--_
A bolt, a potent one, and brought at need!
That B-LF-R is a ready Ganymede.
And yet--and yet--ah, well, upon my soul,
A troublous function is the Thunderer's _role_.
'Tis vastly fine, of course; if fate would smile,
I fancy that the Cloud-Compeller's style
Would suit me sweetly; just the line I love;
Resolute rule's the appanage of a Jove.
But SHELLEY's dismal Demogorgon's self,
That solemn, shadowy, stern, oracular elf,
Plus obstinate Prometheus, did not play
Such mischief as the parties do to-day,
With Law and Order. Who would be a god
When force forsakes his bolt, and fear his nod?
Yes, here's the bolt forged ready to my hand,
But,--will it fly obedient to command,
And hit the mark I mean? Would I were sure;
Then should I hold my new-found seat secure,
Without a thought of Saturn, or that Hour
Which sets a term e'en to Olympian pow'r.
But what if like a boomerang, it fly
Back to my hand, or, worse, into mine eye?
Ah, Ganymede, Jupiter Tonans seems
A splendid part, in young ambition's dreams,
But, Ganymede, who would aspire, I wonder,
To be a Jove who's half afraid to thunder?
With doubts about the handling of my bolt,
And half Olympus in half-veiled revolt;
With hostile Titans mustering on the plain,
And old Prometheus "popping up again";
With Demogorgon lurking down below,
Disguised as Demos, with its muffled, low,
But multitudinous slowly-swelling voice,
How should I in Olympian power rejoice?
I grasp the bolt; I cannot well refuse it;
But--I half hope I may not have to use it!
* * * * *
"HOMES IN THE HILLS."
[The absence of skilled nursing in the British Military
Hospitals in India having long been felt to be a serious evil,
leading to the needless sacrifice of brave and valuable lives,
the SECRETARY of STATE has sanctioned the employment of
Lady Nurses in these hospitals. The Government of India have
undertaken the whole cost in connection with this scheme,
except the provision of "Homes in the Hills," as restorative
resorts for the Nursing Sisters, when their own health feels
the strain of their arduous duties in such a climate as that
of the plains of India. The money required for this
most essential purpose the Government consider might be
"appropriately left to the active benevolence of private
individuals interested in the welfare of the British Soldier
in India."
For aid towards the establishment of these "Homes in the
Hills," Lady ROBERTS, wife of the gallant Indian hero, Sir
FREDERICK ROBERTS, makes an appeal which _Mr. Punch_ desires
most earnestly to second.
Subscriptions will be received by the Alliance Bank, Simla;
Messrs. Cox & Co., Craig's Court, London; and by Lady ROBERTS
herself.]
To nurse our stricken Soldiers! Nobler task,
Or more ennobling, can our Sisters ask?
Whilst stout hearts suffer, soft ones shall not fail
In selfless readiness to soothe and save,
Sharing the tribute rendered by the brave
To FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.
Her sex's strong and sweet exemplar, she
Must surely send across the orient sea
To "NORA ROBERTS," as a kindred heart,
Message of warm good-will. And we at home
For whom our soldiers fight, and watch, and roam,
Shall we not do our part?
'Tis sad to think that in that burning land,
For lack of ministry from woman's hand,
Strong men and gallant boys have sunk and died.
Gladdening to hear that Nursing Sisters now,
To cool hot lips and ease pain-fevered brow,
Will seek our Soldiers' side.
But who shall nurse the Nurses? When the strain
Of ministry on India's torrid plain
Brings the fatigue that, long-neglected, kills,
They'll need, as health-resorts whereto to send,
For rest restorative, the soldiers' friend,
Homes in the cooler hills.
For these the Lady of our gallant Chief,
Whose brilliant march brought Candahar relief,
Pleads to a public whom that honoured name
Alone should stir to sympathy and aid.
Help for the Helpers! _Punch_ is not afraid
_That_ plea will miss its aim!
* * * * *
[Illustration: JUPITER TONANS!
"HA!--A POWERFUL WEAPON!--HOPE I MAYN'T HAVE TO USE IT!!"]
* * * * *