[Illustration]
(_By an Oxbridge Enthusiast._)
WINDS from the East may provoke us,
Making us angry and ill,
Dust of the Equinox choke us,
Yet we will welcome thee still,
Spring, now the runnels of primrose and crocus
Trickle all over the hill;
Now, when the willow and osier
Flicker in diffident green;
Now, when the poplars are rosier,
When the first daisies are seen,
And the windows of draper and hosier
Are bright with their 'Varsity sheen.
"Not what it was, Sir, in my time,"
Grumbles a fogey, or two;
"Then we had really a high-time,
Lord, what mad things we would do!
Skylarking! Well, it was sky-time.
Blue! It was nothing but blue!"
Well, let the people and papers
Say what it please them to say,
Shops of the politic drapers
Follow them, sombre or gay,
"Men" be austere, or cut capers,
Still 'tis a glorious day!
* * *
Visions of Sandford or Ely,
Baitsbite, or Abingdon Lock,
Skies that are stormy or steely,
Seas that we ship with a shock,
"Coaches," whose mouths are not mealy,
"Faithfuls," who riverward flock,
Mornings, inclement and early,
Stinted tobacco and beer,
Tutors reluctant and surly,
"Finals" unpleasantly near--
All are forgot in the hurly--
Lo! the long looked-for is here!
Now, at the start, as I'm eyeing
The back, that I know like a friend,
I wonder which flag will be flying
In front at the winning-post bend--
Shall we triumph, or, fruitlessly trying,
Row it out, game to the end?
Point after point we are clearing,
Mile after mile we have sped;
Multiplied roaring and cheering
Sound as they sound to the dead.
Surely the end we are nearing!
Yes, but I know _they_'re ahead!
Then is the toiling and straining
Out of the tail of my eye
Somehow I see we are gaining--
Look at the wash running by!
Now, in the minutes remaining,
Somehow we'll do it, or die.
There are blades flashing beside us,
Dropping astern one by one.
Now they creep up--they have tied us--
No! The spurt dies--they are done!
Gods of the 'Varsity guide us!--
Bang! "Easy all!" We have won!
* * * * *
THE Coal Strike was easily settled, as all that had to be discussed were
"Miner Considerations."
* * * * *
"FOR THIS RELIEF, MUCH THANKS!"
"As a sign of this gratitude, I confer upon you the dignity of Duke
of LAUENBURG, and shall also send you my life-sized Portrait."--_The
German Emperor to Prince Bismarck._
GOD bless you, dear Prince! Since your purpose is fixed,
It is useless, I know, to dissuade you.
I permit you to go, though my feelings are mixed,
And unmake, as my grandfather made, you.
Yet deem not ungrateful your Emperor and King;
Let me pay you my thanks at the Court rate.
So I make you a Duke, ere I let you take wing,
And, O Prince, I will send you my Portrait!
O Pilot undaunted, brave heart and strong hand
When our planks were all riven asunder,
You alone grasped the helm, and took boldly your stand,
Nor blanched at the blast and the thunder.
And now, safe in port, we award you a prize
Of a value that men of your sort rate.
So, Prince, I will have myself painted life-size
Every inch, and I'll send you the Portrait.
Fresh storms may be brewing. I'll face them myself.
I am young, and, O Prince, you grow older.
Stay ashore, if you wish it, retire to the shelf,
And let those steer the ship who are bolder.
Yet it shall not be said that, in parting from you,
Your King gave his thanks at a short rate;
So be henceforth a Duke, and accept as your due
What I gratefully grant you--my Portrait!
* * * * *