Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2447, 17 March 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry.

BATHiIt-DAY WAKN lInCS, Wlip.n keep the law, When banks dispense with bolts ail locks, Whoa borne-, Whnrtle-, ra^jand straw-. Grow bip;;er downwards through th box ; When he that sclleth house or land Shows leak in roof or iiaw in ritflit, "When haberdashers chnusi' the stand^ Whose window hath the liroade-st light; When preachers tell us all they think, And party leaders all they mean, When what we pay for, that wo drink, Form real frrape and colfee-lit ;u\; When lawyers take wh it they would R'ive, Anil doctors give what liiey would take, When city fathers eat to live, Savo when they fast for consciencc sake; \"h iii c.llO that hath a horse on salo '..all bring his merit to the proof, \\ ithont a lie for every nail That holds the iron on his hoof; When in the usual place for rips Our gloves are stitehed with special care And guarded well the whalebone tip* Where first umbrellas need repair; When Cuba's weeds have quite forgot Tho power of suction to resist, And claret-bottles harbour not .Such dimples as would hold your fist; When publishers no longer steal, And pay for what they stole before ; When the first locomotive's wheel ll„lls through the fioosac tunnel's bore,— Till then let Humming bla'/.c away, And Miller's saints blow up the globe : But when you see that blessed day. Then order your ascension robe ! —O. \V. Holmes. GOD BLESS TIIE PEOPLE. [IJY (!. Linx.lXS Jlanks.] Some folks will say "(Sod bless the King," Or "ijneen" at public dinners. And drink,, the health of doubtful saints, And very certain sinners ; I have a t"ast to give to-night, Beats court or camp or steeple ; And wo will drink it with three cheers—• "Tho people, boys ! the peopie 1 " " The people, boys ! the people " Before court, camp, or steeple. The toiling hand, .King of the land, And so, ' God bless tho I'cople." If history wo read aright, Tis plain unto my seeming, One-half tho troubles of tho world Arise from ruler's scheming ; They plot to work each other ill ; Their subjects treat like cattl ", Vet, when they're in a mess, expect That wo wili fight the battle. 'Tis well for generals-iii-chief To talk lo us of glory : But broken hearts and blighted homes Tell <|uii« a different story ; The brawny arm that drives a plough, Or gaily goes a-reaping, I'ills no fair land with orphans' cries, And sees no widows weeping. Our Hishops, in their long lawn sleeves, Will charity be teaching, But parsons aie not always found To practice their own preaching ; While some of us havo scarce a bono To put upon our dishes, Their families are snugly housed, And eat the loaves and lishes. Who fill the colters of the, State? Rich masters keep in chr. er': And make the name of Knghmd great, One half the wide world over 1 Who, but the toiling, moiling crowds That swarm our courts and alleys, And for a wretched pittance slave Like prisoners at the galley,-'. V It was ordained from first, that men Should all love one aire her ■— That rich and poor, tho high and low, lie each t;o each a brother ; But, while our Arabs roam the streets, An 1 frail one; s,-ek Ihe river, Tho Uppei Ten and millionaire:! .Forget the Great Liw l ; ivor. Thank <i.>d ! the time is coming on, When ill ei of humble. - tation Will greater dignity enjoy With liit.j-.Mi education ; Few then will cringe or bow tho knee To seep!.re or to sabre, And freedom's grandest bulwarks be Our nobie, sons of labour.