THROUGH THE LOCK.
Grand Old Puntsman pipes up:—
"Lock! Lock! Lock!"
Heaven be thanked, we're through it!
Spite of crush, and jam, and shock,
That's the way to do it!
Now for a fair "flowing tide,"
Verdurous banks and shady!
Yes, we're through. I'm glad, aren't you,
Eh, my little lady?
"Lock! Lock! Lock!"
Trim the punt, sweet, prythee!
You look nice in your new frock!
Fresh as osier withy.
How they strove your togs to tear;
Hinder, or capsize us!
But, hurroo! we've scrambled through!
Nought need now surprise us!
"Lock! Lock! Lock!"
Faint cry, far before us!
Lot of toffs my efforts mock;
Menace us in chorus.
Swear they'll swamp us at the weir.
Fate there's no controlling,
But the Grand Old River Hand
Puts his faith in pol(l)ing!
Sit tight, my dear, and as we drop down with the tide towards the next lock, I'll sing you a new river-song to an old air. [Sings.
And did you ne'er hear of a jolly old punting man,
Who near Westminster his calling doth ply?
He handles his pole with such skill and dexterity,
Winning each "No" and enchanting each "Aye."
He looks so neat, he steers so steadily,
The ladies all flock to his punt so readily;
And he's so celebrated for courage and care,
That he's seldom in want of a freight or a fare.
But o'er his last passenger rivals made merry.
She did look so feeble, and frightened withal:
"A fair sample this of your fine Irish ladies!
In a Party like yours won't she kick up a squall?"
Thus oft they'd be chaffing, and shouting and jeering,
But 'twas all one to Willy; he stuck to his steering;
For hissing or hooting he little did care,
He handled his pole, and looked after his fare.
And ah! just to think now how strangely things happen!
He poled along, caring for no one at all;
By a crush in the lock, foes his fare meant alarming,
And hoped in deep water she fainting might fall.
But he bade the young damsel to banish all sorrow,
"If they block us to-day, dear, we'll get through to-morrow."
And now the old Puntsman is through! But they swear
They'll yet flummox the future of him and his fare!
Good Gracious!—Mrs. R. went to Lord's the other day, to see Doctor Grace play. She says, "Until then I had no idea he was a man of such splendid physic."