["Certainly, if some members of the London County Council have
their way, it will soon have plenty to occupy it without
being called upon to form a scheme of water-supply for the
Metropolis."--_The Times_.]
[Illustration]
_L.C.C. loquitur_:--
Bless me! Things combine so a hero to humble!
I fancied that Bull-headed Minotaur--BUMBLE,
Would fall to my hand like Pasiphae's monster
To Theseus. But oh! every step that I on stir
Bemuddles me more. I _did_ think myself clever,
But fear from the Centre I'm farther than ever,
Oh, this _is_ a Labyrinth! Worse than the Cretan!
Yet shall the new Theseus admit himself beaten?
Forbid it, great Progress! Your votary I, Ma'am,
But in this Big Maze it seems small use to try, Ma'am.
Mere roundaboutation's not Progress. Get forward?
Why eastward, and westward and southward, and nor'ward,
Big barriers stop me! Eh? Centralisation?
Demolish that monster, Maladministration,
Whose menaces fright the fair tower-crowned Maiden.
Most willingly, Madam; but look how I'm laden,
And hampered! Oh! I should be grateful to you, Ma'am,
If, like Ariadne, you'd give me a clue, Ma'am.
_I_'ll never--like treacherous Theseus--desert you;
My constancy's staunch, like my valour and virtue.
Through Fire, Water, Wilderness trackless I'll follow,
But astray in a Maze high ambition seems hollow!
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