THE TRUMP CARD.

When William first became a Lieut.

R.N.V.R., in blue and gold,

Belinda smiled upon his suit

(Which formerly had found her cold);

His manly form and honest face,

She really liked them, I believe;

But, most of all, she loved the lace

Upon his sleeve.

Yet soon a rival courtier came—

A dashing dapper Lieut. R.N.;

And, as this paragon pressed his claim,

Oh, what could William hope for then?

How could a wobbly-braided swain

Vie with the actual Royal Navy,

Whose stripes were half as broad again

And straight, not wavy?

Then William swore (ah, Envy, ah!)

"Belinda shall be mine, she SHALL!"

And wrote a note to his papa,

Who'd just been made an Admiral:—

"Father, now that you'll fly at sea

A two-balled flag in place of pennant,

What do you say to taking me

As flag-lieutenant?"

When William next waylaid his fair,

He had his glittering "aiglets" on;

Rope upon rope of gold was there,

And now his rival's look was wan;

He tried a bitter sneer, to greet

This "peacock preening in the sun";

But Miss Belinda thought them "sweet"....

And William won.