THE SENIOR PARTNER.

I hate the horrid roller used by our offensive foe,

Which goes so very much more fast than most steam-rollers go;

Just now it's got us in a hole particularly tight,

But Hindenburg, brave Hindenburg, is sure to put us right.

Some time ago it snorted up Carpathia's rugged steeps,

It tooted through Przemysl Town and Cracow had the creeps;

And even in Vienna we were turning rather sick,

But Mackensen, good Mackensen, he saved us in the nick.

Our stout Ally's behaviour may contain a touch of swank,

But, when we leave a vacuum upon his dexter flank,

Although with simulated grief he'd chuck us if he could,

His Hindenburg (or Mackensen) has got to make it good.

Yet if I do my best to win a battle on my own,

And barge about Trentino, which is my peculiar zone,

Should anything occur to push my eagle off its perch

Then William Two, dear William Two, would leave me in the lurch.

But now that I am knocked again on our united front,

Which incidentally disturbs his adumbrated stunt,

His heart (from quite a distance) yearns to soothe the painful spot,

And Hindenburg, old Hindenburg, is sent to stop the rot.

O.S.