THE CHARGE OF THE COURT BRIGADE.
I.
HALF a yard—half a yard—
Half a yard onward,
Through the first crush-room
Pressed the Four Hundred.
Forward—the Fair Brigade!
On to the Throne, they said:
On to the Presence Room
Crushed the Four Hundred.
II.
Forward, the Fair Brigade!
Was there a girl dismayed?
E'en though the chaperons knew
Some one had blundered.
Theirs not to make complaint,
Theirs not to sink or faint,
Theirs—but words cannot paint
Half the discomfiture
Of the Four Hundred.
III.
Crowds on the right of them,
Crowds on the left of them,
Crowds all in front of them,
Stumbled and blundered:
On through the courtier-lined
Rooms—most tremendous grind—
Into the Presence-Room,
Leaving their friends behind,
Passed the Four Hundred.
IV.
Flushed all their faces fair,
Flashed all their jewels rare,
Scratched all their shoulders bare,
Thrusting each other—while
Outsiders wondered:
Into the Presence Room,
Taking their turn they come,—
Some looking very glum
O'er trains sore-sundered:—
Kiss hand, and outwards back,
Fagged, the Four Hundred!
V.
Crowds to the right of them,
Crowds on the left of them,
Crowds all in front of them,
Stumbled and blundered—
Back through more courtier-lined
Rooms—O, tremendous grind!—
Débutantes thirsty pined
For ice or cup o' tea:
No sofas horse-hair lined,
Not a chair or settee,
Poor dear Four Hundred!
VI.
Mothers to rage gave vent,
Husbands for broughams sent,
While at mismanagement
Both sorely wondered.
Not till the sun had set,
Not till the lamps were lit,
Home from the Drawing Room
Got the Four Hundred.
VII.
Some, I heard, in despair
Of getting stool or chair,
Took to the floor, and there
Sat down and wondered.
Now, my Lord Chamberlain,
Take my advice. Again
When there's a Drawing-room,
Shut doors, and don't let in
More than Two Hundred.
Punch, May 30, 1874.