Then think twice, and think well, ere from guard of the Lion
Those who seek his protection you try to withdraw:
Though Stowell and Wheaten and Kent you rely on,
There are points on which Lions won't listen to jaw.
Remember in time the old tale of the showman,
Who his head in the mouth of the Lion would sheath,
Till with lengthened impunity, bold as a Roman,
He seemed to forget that the Lion had teeth.
But the time came at last, when all risks madly scorning,
He went just too far down that road rough and red,
When, with only one wag of his tail for a warning,
Snap went Leo's jaws, and off went Barnum's head!
This was followed up on December 14th, with one of Tenniel's finest cartoons, that entitled "Waiting for an Answer."
Two amusing bits of doggerel appeared in the same number, one representing the British nation's view of the international episode.
MRS. DURDEN ON THE AMERICAN DIFFICULTY
"Them there nasty good-for-nothing Yankees!" cried old Mrs. Durden,
"Worrits me to that degree, it makes my life almost a burden.
Board our mail and seize our passengers, the ribbles! Goodness, gracious!
Like their imperence to be sure; 'tis that what makes 'em so owdacious.
"What next now I wonder, Captain?" Answer Captain Skipper made,
"Well Ma'am, our next move, I fancy, will be breaking their blockade."
"Blockhead! Ah!" exclaimed the lady. "Truer word was never spoken.
Drat the blockheads, all says I; may every head on 'em be broken!"
The other is a bit of broad fun, in mockery of the profuse volumes of smoke and sound which were emitted by Yankee fire-eaters.
A VOICE FROM WASHINGTON
From our Special Correspondent