CONSTANTINOPLE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 259, 1 November 1877, Page 4

CONSTANTINOPLE.

[By Broadfellow.] His stock of cash was falling fast As o'er the river Danube passed The Russ, who, sick of snow and ice, Yowed he would house him warm and nice, In Constantinople. His eye was red, his nose beneath Gleamed like a scarlet poppy wreath ; His heart was like a dish clout wrung — He smelt no more the vodka-bung, Being bound for Constantinople. In Shipka Pass he saw the light. Of Turkish bayonets deadly bright, Beyond a spectral conquest shone, So from his lips escaped no groan Save : " Constantinople or bust !" " Try not the Pass," all reason said "|M.ahomet 5 3 curse is on thy head ; You'd better stay up on this side." But loud the pudding-head replied: "Right through for Constantinople!" " O stay," Bulgaria said, " and rest, \ At least until thy wounds are dressed" The rheum oozed from his filmy eye, But still he answered with a sigh, " Ticket taken for Constantinople." " Beware of the three-tailed Pasha's grasp, Beware the Sick Man's dying gasp;" This was the whole world's last goodbye; What did the hardy Russ reply ? " Here goes for Constantinople!" A day or two, and Plevna-ward A devil of a row was heaad, Which was the cause, we understand, Of au exceeding brisk demand Eor return tickets for Constantinople. That Russian on the battle-ground, Quite buried with hia friends/ was found, And somehow, though so " warm and nice,'* He had'nfc gobbled in a trice Constantinople. There on Bulgaria's marshy clay, Still worse off than before, he lay, Aud trom Stamboal, serene and far, A voice fell like a falling star : " Wait a bit fur Constantinople." [New Zealand Herald.