Punch, or the London Charivari
Volume 107, September 29th, 1894
edited by Sir Francis Burnand
THE INVASION OF WOMAN.
When Strephon shuts the ledger to, Relinquishing his duties, And takes the train from Waterloo For Clapham's rural beauties He dearly loves en route, we read, To smoke the solitary weed.
His hopes, alas, are quickly dashed, For Chloë, maid provoking! Alertly enters, unabashed, The carriage labelled "Smoking"; His frown, his powerful cigar, His match—all unavailing are.
Yes, Chloë comes, and brings no doubt, A friend to talk of fashions, While Strephon lets his weed go out, A prey to angry passions, Which, later on, released will be Within the excellent D. T.
Yet grieve not so, ungallant swain, Nor curse this innovation, Or, even if you do, refrain From words like "frequentation," But really, you should do no less Than cease to curse, and wholly bless.
For if the charm this female band Finds in you so immense is, That they contentedly can stand The smell your weed dispenses, A compliment they pay you then You will not gain from fellow-men!