'em),
"So to your further progress here I set
A period, or _punctum_."

He knew it wasn't any good
Talking like that; and when the foam
Made for his feet (he knew it would)
He turned at once and made for home;
And "I'm no god, but just a man," he cried,
"And you, my sycophants, are sorry rotters,
Who told your KNUT that he could dare the tide
To damp his heavenly trotters."

* * *

The scene was changed. Another strand;
Another god (alleged) was there
(In spirit, you must understand;
His actual frame occurred elsewhere);--
"O element designed for German ships,
Whose future lies," said he, "upon the water,
I strike at England! Ho!" and licked his lips
For lust of loot and slaughter.

Then by the sea was answer made,
And down the wind this word was blown:
"Thus far! but here your steps are stayed;
England is mine; I guard my own!"
And as upon his ear this challenge fell,
Out of the deep there also fell upon it, or
Close in the neighbourhood, a singing shell
From H.M. _Mersey_, Monitor.

And just as old CANUTE (or KNUT)
Stopped not to parley when he found
His line of exit nearly cut,
But moved his feet to drier ground,
So too that other Monarch, much concerned
About his safety, looked no longer foam-ward,
But said, "This sea's too much for me," and turned
Strategically home-ward.

O. S.

* * * * *

WAR AND THE HIGH HAND.

_Scene:_ A MOTHERS' MEETING.

"They do say as this old Keyser or Geyser or whatever 'e calls 'isself
be goin' to 'op it."

"Afraid of 'is life, if t'other side should win--that it?"

"Likely 'e is--an' well may be. T'other side be our side in that case,
bain't it?"

"That's it. An' it's 'im for 'isself an' the rest for theirselves, from
what I can see."

"This old Keyser, 'e's to blame for most ev'rythin' happenin' nowadays.
Reg'lar firebran' in our midst, 'e do seem."

"Daresay 'e was drove to it, if we could but see all."

"Some woman nagged 'im into it--if you ask me."

"They do say 'e craves for peace with 'is whole mind."

"Parson 'e says on Sunday as the hypocrit' cries for peace where there
is no peace."

"This war seems to take people out of their true selves, makin' of 'em
ravenin' beasts."

"Men, too, as otherwise acts quiet an' well-meanin' enough. You 'eard
what Doctor done?"

"What 'e done?"