THE COMING GUESTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 133, 15 June 1901, Page 4

THE COMING GUESTS.

[Times Special.] Enter York and Duchess. —“Richard II.”

Ft used to be a practice, and may be now for all I know, for young ladies of a literary turn of mind to find an appropriate quotation for every day of the year and for every unusual event.

It was an exercise in literature, and dictionaries of quotations were not in tbe game. The approaching visit of the Duke and Duchess of York lends itself admirably to this kind of treatment ; indeed, the whole story of the tour might bo written in quotations. It would be brutal to fire Mr Kipling’s “Son of a hundred Kings” at the Duke just now, but one may be permitted to remark that “ he’s left a lot of little things behind him.” The equally inevitable “ I’m to be Queen of the May ”" will be avoided by all conscientious searchers after apt lines from literature. There is a double pleasure in appropriate quotation, the pleasure of the quoter, and that of the reader. Perhaps it may bo as defiance of modern literary precedent, to start at the beginning.

Will your Grace Persuade the Queen to send the Duke o£ York? . . . If my weak oratory Can from his mother win the Duke of York, Anon expect him. —“ Richard III.” Tho next few quotations may be left to tell their own tale: The scene Is now transported, gentles. —“ Henry V.” Grant him there; there seen, Heave him away upon your winged thoughts Athwart the sea. Ibid. The Governor . . . went to meet the Duke. —Clarendon. How yet resolves the Governor ? This is the latest parle we will admit. —“ Henry V.” I am not certain yet she will not come. —Swinburne. Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold, Or whether since he is advised of aught To change his course; he’s full of alteration. —“ Lear.” Assuming the arrangements fixed, we may “let him land.” the beach Pales in the flood with men, and wives, and boys, Whose claps and shouts out-voice the deepmouthed sea. —" Henry V.” Here comes the Duke of York ! —“ Richard H.” Enter York with trumpet and many soldiers. —“ Henry VI." So handsome and so spirited a youth, and a King to the rest of us.—Elia. At the Antipodes. Yerschuur.

And if his name be George.—“ King John.” The Heir-apparent.—“ Henry IV.” Bridegroom fair of Duchess May. —Elizabeth Barrett Browning. For let the world take note, you are the most immediate to the throne.—“ Hamlet.” Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York. —“ Richard III.” The G overnor: I shower a welcome on yo. —“ Henry VIII.” Your graces are right welcome.—“ Lear.” The King, your father.—” Love’s Labour Lost.”

Sweet May hath come to love us.—Heine, Hail, Bounteous May.—Milton. Well, something must be done for May, The time is drawing nigh. —Hood, Press the button.—Advt. Let her have your voices.—“ Othello.” Capt: Though related to a peer, I can hand reef and steer, And ship a selvagee; I am never known to quail At the fury of tho gale,

And I’m never, never sick at sea. All: What never? Capt: No, never ! All: What never? Capt: Well, hardly ever 1 —“ E.M.S. Pinafore." Zounds! How has he the lcisuro to be sick in such a justlingtime?—“ Henry IV.” Our island home Is far beyond the wave Tennyson. I know the Kings of England.—“ Pirates of Penzance.” I’ve no time To talk to them just now ! —W. S. Gilbert. Here to-day and gone to-morrow. —“ Pinafore.” Men report him.—Tennyson.

A few quotations especially appropriate to the Christchurch celebrations may be permitted, not forgetting the decorations—“ vain transitory splendours,” as Goldsmith calls them : This most dreadful preparation—“ Henry V.” That memorable day; June was the month.—Browning. Here richly deckt, admits the gorgeous train; Tumultuous grandeur crowds the blazing square, Toe rattling chariots clash, the torches glare. Sure scenes like these no trouble e’er annoy, Sure these denote one universal joy ! —Goldsmith. The man of wealth and pride Takes up a space that many poor supplied. —lbid. Cornets, Trumpets.—” Henry VIII.” Stand close, I hear them coming.—“ Henry Enter Cornwall.—” King Lear.” And when the punctual May arrives—Bavard Taylor. J Our England’s lily of the May, Our lily of the Vale!

—“ To the Lily of the Valley.” But, Master Mayor, if Edward bo your King, Yet this one, at the least, is Duke of York !

—Shakespeare. The Mayor and all his brethren in best sort Go forth.

“ Henry V.” And looks abroad for May.—Bead. Look how she rubs her hands'!—”MaC' beth.”

Whoa they rose, knighted from kneeling, some Were pale as at the passing of a ghost, Some flushed, and others dazed, as one who wakes. Half-blinded at the coming of a light. —Tennyson. Take it, brave York. Now soldiers, march.

_ away; And how thou pleasest, God, dispose the day —“ Henry V.”

Then strike up, drums : God and St George for us ! —“ Henry VII." At night we’ll feast together.—” Hamlet.” Is the banquet ready ? Yes, my lord. —“ Henry VIII.” Come, shall we go and kill us venison ? —“As You Like It.” The prince at prayers ; let’s assist him. —“ Tempest.” Chief Justice: You have misled the youthful

prince. Falstafi: The young prince hath misled me. “ Henry IV.” What stir Keeps good old York here ? “ Eichard II.” But tho’ he was o’ high degree The fient a pride—nae pride, had he. —Burns. His honest, sonsie, baws’nt face Ay gat him friends in like place. _ —Burns. In one sense you are, in Fairy-Land, yet in another you may be in the British Dominions.—Upton “ On Spenser.” Got thee back, sweet Duchess May ! —E. B. BrowniDg. I have a journey to go.—“ Lear.” From the great deep to the great deep he goes. —Tennyson. The Duke of York was diligent, methodical, and fond of authority and business. Majaulay. A little man.—Dickens. ■ Exit Cornwall.—“ Lear.” Exit Duchess of York.—“ Bicbard H. And the end of it is quietness at last. —Swinburne. —Lyttelton Times,