_Houp-la!_ Oh, it's all very fine
That there whip to keep twirling and cracking,
But with such a trio as mine
There's no very great fun in "bare-backing."
Two of them, I'm sure, were enough
To keep--in _this_ Circus--in tether.
A third you must thrust in!--what stuff!
How _am_ I to keep 'em together?
"Land Purchase" I had well in hand,
And "Tithes" made a pretty fair second;
But t'other? I can't understand
How JOKIM could so have misreckoned.
Of all awkward 'osses to hold
The worst is his pet, "Compensation,"
And if in the tan I ain't rolled,
'Twill be thanks to my fine equitation!
_Must_ get him along? Oh, of course!
It will not do to fail, now we've started.
But how? I'm a chap of resource,
And I fancy I'm not chicken-hearted,
Yet some lookers-on shouts out "Go!"
Whilst others ejaculate "Drop him!"
And, SOLLY, I'm hanged if I know
How safely to drive him _or_ stop him.
I may get him round,--'twill take time,--
To drop him would now raise derision;
I'm tired, and not quite in my prime,
And of failure have somehow a vision.
Of course, I will still do my best;
I am always devoted to "Duty,"
But oh! I should so like a rest.
_Houp-la_ then! Oh, come up, you beauty!!
* * * * *
IMPORTANT.--The Two Pins Club are going to have a race. Of course it
will be "from point to point."
* * * * *