Primrose Diplomacy; Discords in the Jingo Symphony by an Untuned Lyre (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902. Excerpt: ... I have a suspicion--I think it is right--That a hammerer's labors must fail If the aim he exclusively has in his sight Is to batter the head of the nail. Didactics I banish--away with such things--For Sill says all teachings offend, --'Tis but a suggestion my diffidence brings That hammering should have an end, --An end that is seen e'er the process begins, A plain and deliberate plan, For without it the skilfulest hammering wins, And deserves what it wins--but a ban. And the nail and the hammering certain enough, Unattached to some definite aim, Together with hammerer, hammer and stuff, Are all stuff and well merit the name. WHO BEGAN THE WAR? A Ruffian, axe in hand, comes to my front door And rudely pounding, bids me let him in. He says he is my friend. I do not like his looks; I know he has a rotten reputation; Who Began the War. 37 He has robbed me before; And often has made threats against my life. While I delay to a-sk him a few questions, I hear him sending orders to his fellow-ruffians To bring their axes, take their stations, One at my other door, one each at every window, And surround my house. Shall I wait quietly until his fellow-ruffians-Come with their axes, and all together Crash through my doors and windows, loot my home, And murder me and mine? Quick, quick, wait not, fling open, rush straight forth, Seize by the throat, and kill him if you can Then who began the war? The householder? Or the ruffian with the axe? Kruger and Joubert, patriots, statesmen, general You did right; 'tis England's own law for it; Good enough for her; protects the life Of humblest British citizen throughout the world; The sacred common law of self-defence. And decent, honest, manly men in all the world Will never let her lying politicians Cloud the real issue, or...