We may be any day at war, should Bismarck so decide.
In Burma, since I met you last, more natives have been slain,
And rebel tribes, four times subdued, have been subdued again;
In India, ’spite the silly things by my advisers done,
A Chinese War, most strange to say, has not yet been begun;
Nor have the many efforts made the Llamas to excite
Availed to make the Thibetans once more my soldiers fight;
Whilst recent news from Suakin enable me to say
That Osman Digna will not need re-killing till next May.
As to the various Colonies which form our Empire great,