y," exclaimed an irate passenger to the timid suggestion of
the above, "of course it doesn't mean _that_." Then he added,
contemptuously, "Get out!" Which he did.

* * * * *

[Illustration: RUSTICUS EXPECTANS. (NEW POLITICAL VERSION OF AN OLD
FABLE.)]

* * * * *

RUSTICUS EXPECTANS;

_OR, THE NEW DUMBLEDUMDEARY._

"Rusticus expectat, dum defluat amnis; at ille
Labitur, et labetur in omne volubilis aevum."

HORACE.

AIR--"_DUMBLEDUMDEARY_."

In the fall of the year, when M.P.'s were about,
And speeches burst forth like a waterspout,
HODGE took up his bundle, and caught up his staff,
And went for a walk--if you please, don't laugh!--
Singing dumbledumdeary, dumbledumdeary,
Dumble, dumble, dumbledumdee!

Oh, HODGE had put on his bettermost smock,
And wore his billycock gaily a-cock;
For HODGE nowadays is a person of note,
And great Governments bow to the "hind,"--with a vote.
Singing dumbledumdeary, &c.

So he strolled on wi'out dread or fear
Of Squoire or Parson, or County Peer,
For the spouting M.P. and the Liberal Van
Had made of the shock-headed joskin a Man!
Singing dumbledumdeary, &c.

With promises stuffed, and with hope inspired,
HODGE walked, and walked till he felt quite tired;
So he sat himself down on the bank of a stream,
And, falling asleep, dreamed a wonderful dream.
Singing dumbledumdeary, &c.

The old, old stream was no longer the brook
Where he'd angled for minnows with worm and hook;
It swelled and swirled, and its rippling voice
Was changed to loud echoes of platform noise.
Singing dumbledumdeary, &c.

And it seemed to address him, "How long, friend HODGE,
In a smock you will slave, in a pig-stye lodge?
The Town revolts, but the landlord crew
Still rule the rustics. What can you do?"
Singing dumbledumdeary, &c.

"Oh, I can reap, and I can sow;
And I can plough, and I can mow;
And, as Lord RIPON doth treuly say,
_I can yarn my eighteen-pence a day_!"
Singing dumbledumdeary, &c.

"Oh, that," cried the Voices, "will never do!
HODGE now must have freedom, and comfort too,
And Village Councils, Allotments, and Larks!
Though the Landlords take fright for their Manors and Parks,"
Singing dumbledumdeary, &c.

"No more must he live like a pig in a stye,
Or _we_ (Tory _Codlir_, Rad _Short_) wil