POETRY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1635, 17 May 1879, Page 2

POETRY.

THE ROBINSONIAD. Sir Hercules Robinson K.O.M.G. With his staff and his Lady came over the sea, And he scarce had landed on Wellington

shore When he summoned around him his Minis

ters four; And Sir Hercules Robinson says, says he “Now gents, I want your country to see.”

Says Grey, in his voice so soft and low, “ How would the Governor like to go P The coasting steamers are large and fleet, And bagmen’s society’s pleasant and

sweet —” But Sir Hercules Robinson says, says he The Hinemoa will do for me.”

“ Now who ” says the Governor, bold and free, •*Will roam o’er the salt sea wares with me ? ” Each Minister sheepishly shook his head, They had other fish to fry, they said. One after another, they said, said they. “They should like it so much but could not get away.”

Grey had a speech to make up North ; Sheehan’s “ wahines” were calling him

forth; Burley old Mac thought Dunedin, just now, Would probably give him less pleasure than

row ; But J. T. Fisher, he says, says he, “ I’ye nothing to do here, why not send me?”

Then Grey on the map, in his pleasantest way, Marked out all the spol s where the party should s ! ay: Invercargill, Dunedin, and eke Timaru, They settled how each place the Governor should “ do And Sir Hercules Robinson says, says he, “ This trip will be fun for my lady and me.”

Invercargill, Dunedin, and eke Timaru Hotels had in plenty, and excellent too : But Christchurch, and there came the worst

of the rub, Could’nt even exhibit a docent pub ! Then Whitmore, ho boldly says, says he, “I’ll manage all that, if you’ll leave it to me.”

“My friend Ready-money has house and land ; My friend Rcady-moncy would like to be erand ; We’ll make him the Governor’s host: you know ’Tis better to have him for friend than foe.” And Whitmore silently' thinks ; thinks he, “ Some day he may do a good turn for me.”

Sir Hercules Robinson came to town, And the drums were beat and the flags were

flown, And the people, after the Christchurch

way, Made one little feeble attempt to hurray, And every citizen says, says he, “What mighty fine fellows we all must be.”

In his chain and his robes went Ick, the Mayor, And his tail, down to Councillor Cass, were there ; And the guns and the engines clattered along And the little boys piped out their little song; And Doctor Turnbull thinks, thinks he, “ There’s none of you half such a swell as me!”

Along the street, and through the square, Went the procession, banners in air, Till it reached at last the mansion gate Where the host met it, highly elate ; And Ready-money, he says, says he, “’Tis a proud day this for the likes of me!”

gut the Governor found, from the very first day, That his host Ready-money was much in the way : Callers wore scanty, indeed it was clear Two Robinsons couldn’t both shine in one sphere: And Sir Hercules gloomily says, says he, “ Where are the people I came to see ?”

The visit came to an end at last, Homeward the Governor tied full fast: And Whitmore eagerly begged to know How his friend had managed (he honors

to do : But Sir Hercules simply said, said he, “ ’Tis the last time you shall cater for me.’ ”