But HANCE's powers began to fail- Their mothers saw them pale and wan, To set their offsprings' minds at rest. Said MRS. HANCE, "Of course I shrinks From bloodshed, ma'am, as you're aware, But still they'd better meet, I thinks." "Assurément !" said MADAME PIERRE. A sunny spot in sunny France Was hit upon for this affair; The ground was picked by MRS. HANCE, Said MRS. H., "Your work you seeGo in my noble boy, and win," "En garde, mon fils !" said Madame P. "Allons!" "Go on!" "En garde !" "Begin!" (The mothers were of decent size, Though not particularly tall; Bab But in the sketch that meets your eyes Loud sneered the doughty man of France, Said PIERRE, "L'Anglais, Monsieur, pour 'bah.'' Said MRS. H., "Come, one! two! three!- "Je scorn un foe si lache que vous,' Said PIERRE, the doughty son of France. "I fight not coward foe like you!" Said our undaunted TOMMY HANCE. "The French for 'Pooh!" our TOMMY cried. And so, with undiminished pride, A DISCONTENTED SUGAR BROKER. GENTLEMAN of City fame Now claims your kind attention ; No one of finely pointed sense And do it? No. His name I shall not mention. He had a trusty wife and true, A manager, a boy or two, Six clerks, and seven porters. A broker must be doing well An active boy, Six clerks, and seven porters. His knocker advertised no dun, A man must be, I beg to state, Who owns his chief Is-being very bulky. "This load," he'd say, "I cannot bear, Most people think that, should it come, To measures fair By taking air And exercise in plenty. In every weather, every day, |