THE TEN LITTLE MEASURES.
(An Unionist's Forecast.)
[The measures in the Government Programme are ten in number (says the Westminster Gazette), viz., 1, Irish Land Reform; 2, Welsh Disestablishment; 3, Local Veto; 4, One Man, one Vote; 5, Charging Election Expenses on Rates; 6, Unification of London; 7, A Factory Bill; 8, Establishment of Conciliation Boards; 9, Completion of Scottish County Government; 10, Relief of Crofters.]
Ten little measures hung upon the line,
One went up to the Lords, and then there were nine.
Nine little measures asked their turn to wait,
One shoved in to the front, and then there were eight.
Eight little measures promising us heaven,
One met a Witler host, and then there were seven.
Seven little measures crossing the Lords' Styx,
One of 'em tumbled in, and then there were six.
Six little measures a-trying to look alive,
One was talked clean off his head, and then there were five.
Five little measures on the Session's lea shore,
One saw Gog and Magog there, and then there were four.
Four little measures as weak as weak could be,
One o'er an Amendment tripped, and then there were three.
Three little measures a-looking precious blue,
One met K-r H-rd-e's frown, and then there were two.
Two little measures a-trying a last run,
One of them had "special Scotch," and then there was one.
One little measure then aspired to "cop the bun,"
H-rc-rt coolly chucked it up, and then there were None!
[And then the Government went out, and Unionists had fun!