My home exposed to Zeppelin shocks,

The long-drawn agony of strife,

The daily toll of precious life,

And a sad screed from my poor wife

Of babes with chicken-pox.

All this it brings—yet brings therewith

That which may help us bear and grin.

"Boy, when you hear the boat's keel scrunch,

Ask the mail officer to lunch;

But give me time to peep at Punch