NOT DONE YET.
A Song of St. Stephen's School.
(To the Air of the Harrow Song, "Fairies.")
When in the Springtime cold and bleak,
In spite of wind and weather,
The Blues and Buffs, the strong and weak
Throng out of school together;
Off to their homes alert and gay
From long sederunts risen,
Majors and minors rush to play,
Live lags let loose from prison.
There you behold "Big Bill," the bold!
Hear how his heart rejoices—
"Ho ho! ha ha! Tra-la-la-la!"—
Booms his most bass of voices.
He cocks a snook at slate and book.
He's had his work this term, boys,
But has contrived, by hook or crook,
To keep his footing firm, boys.
He's had to fight, like Dibdin's tar,
'Gainst many a would-be boarder.
It needed wit as well as war
To keep the school in order.
But he has shown both wit and grit,
And patience linked about it.
"Ho ho! ha ha! Tra-la-la-la!"—
Young Arty hears him shout it.
Arty had hoped he could have coped
With Bill, and licked him hollow;
That Jack had kicked, and Sandy moped,
And Pat refused to follow.
But Bill has proved a dodgy one,
As well as a hard hitter;
And that has somewhat marred the fun,
And disappointment's bitter.
What wonder then Bill's Tra-la-la
Sets Arty shouting shrilly,
"Boohoo and pah! Yah-boo-yah-bah!
You wait a bit, Big Billy!
"With spur and rein, whip-stroke and strain,
Jehu plus artful jockey,
You've kept your team in tow again,
And you look blessed cocky.
Wait till the way shows sludge and clay,
And you the pace would quicken!
Over you'll roll long ere the goal,
And then the fun will thicken!"—
Bill cocks his chins, and skips and grins
Like any Jumping-Jingle.
His loud Ha, ha! Tra-la-la-la!
Sets Arty's blood a-tingle.
"Bah! You've done fairly well this half:
Think you'll survive another
As the school's 'Cock,' you great fat calf?
Look out for my Big Brother!
When he gets hold of you,—my eye!—
You won't look quite so jolly.
Think you've licked me! Wait till you try
A round or two with Solly!
He's waiting for a turn at you!
You think you're a smart smiter?
'Tra-la-la-la'? Yah! bully! yah!
He'll show you who's cock fighter!"