For the hardest things to listen to are what our friends all say.
* * * * *
There's Parnell's lot, my Herbie, that wretched Irish crew;
Don't go and say I said so, this is confidence for you:
I've done my best to catch them, and gain their solid vote;
But Trevelyan's such a blunderer, he's always at their throat.
* * * * *
So I will go down early, you come down after, Herbie dear;
To-morrow may be the saddest day of this our sad fifth year.
I've felt some twinges sometimes of conscience and of gout;