A most unearthly squeaking.

I am, alas! too old and weak to fight,

But on these non-Teutonic pipes and tabors

I hope a martial spirit to incite

In "conscientious" neighbours.

And when my time, as soon it must, shall come,

My epitaph perhaps might thus begin well:

"He 'did his bit' upon the Indian drum;

He played the mandolin well.

Others who stayed at home to criticize