PUCNACITY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1330, 17 July 1883, Page 3

PUCNACITY.

By Mollycoddle. ma I dear ma I it’s quite (Iroadful to *ee, How folks in this world will at times disagree, gome fight about this thing, and soma about that. While some "feel for heads" with a stick, ala Pat» Or, anxious to got a good shindy afloat, Crv " Hurroo I who'll tread on the tail of me coat?" Some dispute about houses, and some about land. And some about matter* they don't nnderstaud ; A word's termination—l'm ceiling no cram, Should It be "telegraph;'’ should it be "telegram;'’ While many a thesis ; many an article, Has been written, ere now, on that wretched Greek particle. And many are they, I am sorry to say, Who love to indulge in the law's long delay, For which, by the way, they have dearly to pay. Tho bigwigs they employ, and who love to display, Their knowledge forensic ; and quibble, and play, At legal hair-splitting asif it were fitting, Each cause to protract, and by this means to prey, Within proper rules on those imbecile fools, Who rush, without thought, at the least instigation, And find themselves deep in involved litigation. Some few 1 have named, and yet, I'm ashamed To say that the number of those who are famed For habits cantankerous, feelings quite raneouros, Is by no means exhausted; these might be proclaimed, Of a great many more, who as I said before, Unless they are wrangling, seem to feel sore, There are those who delight in political life, (Their ambition must lead them a deuce of a life), Who day after day are toiling away, " Pour la patrie," whuh, I fancy, the French is, Eor sitting some day on the Treasury benches ; ’Tig pleasant, do doubt, when this does come about And their foes are completely put to the rout, To find themselves Ministers, each with a handle To his name ; but—" Is the game worth the candle?” It appears to me that this hardly can be, Or the candle’s not worth very much don’t you see ? For if you’ve a mind, and feel so inclined To look through the blue books, I think you will find, It not seldom happens. No sooner complete Is the Ministry ; each member has taken his seat, Than sonic measure compels them to “ beat a retreat." Again there arc those, not political foes, Who deem it their duty at times to oppose Or support certain measures, of lesser import, The members of each Borough council in short, Whom though they have been bosom friends for years A very smalt matter will "set by the ears.” A water supply, or drainage, or why Multiply instances, perhaps it’s the gas That causes the bother, and sets them “ en masse,” At sixes and sevens ; perhaps one thinks right That each house in each street should be just the same height. Be the cause what it will, the fact remains still They wrangle away with hearty good will, Until called to order, perhaps from the chair, They bow to the voice of his Worship the Mayor. Stop, Pegasus, pray ; you arc bolting away Right off the course ; you must really display Lest vaulting ambition ; it's not your condition Or place to discuss such things ; with submission, Leaving senators, councillors and mighty grandees Seek humbler themes, and return, if you please, To subjects more suited to rhymes such as these. I fancy 1 may venture to say, Without contradiction, in opening my lay I mentioned some classes who’d got a’ bad way Of squabbling and snarling ; such classes are rife, but I imagine that strife between man and wife To be the most shocking, 1 do “ 'pon my life,” Some wives it is true, let us hope they are few, May well be deserving the epithet "shrew Some again are dome.tic—would fain keep their " hubs,” At home in the evening away from those clubs ; Some.do not like smoking—some boldly declare Thej- think on the fair sex, by no means it’s fair That to masculines solely, the mysteries holy Should be divulged of the order Masonic, But all of them hate an affection “ Platonic The wife of your bosom will " go for you ” you’ll see, If by any chance she catches a glance, Of you sitting down with a girl on your keee, And should this be so, you very well know, All Plato’s philosophy will be “no go,” Her rights are invaded, her feelings are sore, She thinks the intruder at best but a " bore,” We will cay ; but she 11 lead you no end of a dance, For paying attention to any free lance. Moral. Gentle reader, pray learn this from my lay, Where Pat's "feeling for heads," or crying “ Hooray Who’ll tread on the tail of my coat?” 1 should say,* The best thing to do is keep out of his way. Don't plunge into law without serious thought, Remember such pleasure too dear may be bought; If you’re married, well once having made your I selection, Love your wife, and eschew al! “ Platonic affection."