TO GENERAL OI.
(The Japanese Commander-in-Chief.)
The famous commanders of old
Were highly and duly extolled,
But their names, as recorded in song,
As a rule were excessively long—
Unlike that new broth of a boy,
The Japanese General Oi.
For we've bettered in numerous ways
Those polysyllabic old days,
And the names that confounded the Bosch
Were monosyllabic—like Foch;
But for brevity minus alloy
Give me Generalissimo Oi.
Napoleon now is napoo;
Alexander, Themistocles, too;
And you could not find space on the screen
For Miltiades, plucky old bean,
Or the names of the heroes of Troy;
But there's plenty of room for an Oi.
I picture him frugal of speech,
But in action a regular peach—
A figure that might be compared
With a Highlander, chieftain or laird,
Like The Mackintosh, monarch of Moy,
Redoubtable General Oi.
Anyhow, with so striking a name
You'd be sure of success if you came
To our shores, and might get an invite
To Elmwood to stay for the night,
And sit for your portrait to "Poy,"
Irresistible General Oi.
So here's to you, excellent chief,
Whose name is so tunefully brief.
May your rule be productive of peace,
Like that of our good Captain Reece,
And no murmur, no οτοτοτοι
Be raised over General Oi!