Never were such light artistic raillery,

Nothing spiteful, naught played to the gallery;

Finished fun, ad unguem, poignant, polished.

Fled fatigue, and dulness was demolished.

Even the great victim chortled merrily,

That short speech should be "selected," verily,

For the next edition of the Speaker.

No coarse slogger, and no crude nose-tweaker

Is Prince Arthur. Gladstone first is reckoned

At gay chaff, but Balfour's a good second.