din,
A pair of brotherlie and doughtie wightes,
Though erst had they indulged in mutual flouts and spites.

For loe! a divelish dragon didde infest
That region, and fair UNA strove to slay.
Her to protect from that prodigious pest,
The Red Crosse Knight--who lived out Midland way--
Didde, with Prince ARTHURE, travel day by day,
And prodded up that lyon as they strode,
With their speare pointes, as though in jovial play,
To holde fair UNA, who her safety owed,
Unto the puissant beaste whereon she proudlie rode.

Anon they heard a roaring hideous sound
That all the ayre with terror filled wyde,
And seemed uneath to shake the stedfast ground;
Eftsoones that dreadful dragon they espyde,
Where stretcht he lay upon the sunny side
Of a great hill, himself like a great hill:
But, all so soone as he from far descryde
Those glistering knights banded in right good will,
He rous'd himselfe full blyth, and hastned them untill.

Then badd those knightes fair UNA yede aloof,
Whiles they attacked that dragon side by side,
And put the issue to stern battaille's proof;
"We'll give this Big Green Bogey beans!" they cryde,
That Red Crosse Knight of Brummagem in his pride,
And brave Prince ARTHURE of the shining crest.
But if victoriously their blades they plied,
Or, baffled by the dragon, gave him beste,--
Why, that the barde will sing _after_ the battaille's teste!

* * * * *

[Illustration: "THROUGH DARKEST LAMBETH."]

POLITICS.

(_BY A CONFUSED CITIZEN._)

What a state we'll soon be in!
Such a clamour, such a din,
Raised from Kew to Dalston,
Cork to Cromer, Wight to Wick!
Seeking votes through thin and thick,
GLADSBURY and SALSTONE!

Talk and chatter, speech and cry!
Some assert, then some deny
In a near or far shire;
Call each other names and laugh,
Jeer and chuckle, joke and chaff--
DEVONCOURT and HARSHIRE!

Still they come and still they go;
Up and down, and high and low,
Many more than those four.
Speak in Council, speak in House,
Think not yet of golf or grouse,
BALBERY and ROSEFOUR.

Rush and canvass up and down,
Village, hamlet, city, town,
Stately street or poor lane;
Start committees, advertise,
Think of rousing party cries,
CHAMBERLEY and MORLAIN!

Such a fidget, such a fuss!
There is no escape for us;
We shall have it shortly