XX. THAT OF THE SOCIALIST AND THE EARL.

It was, I think, near Marble Arch,

Or somewhere in the Park,

A Socialist

Once shook his fist

And made this sage remark:

"It is a shime that working men,

The likes of you and me—

Poor, underfed,

Without a bed—

In such a state should be.

"When bloated aristocracy

Grows daily wuss an' wuss.

Why don't the rich

Behave as sich

An' give a bit to us?

"They've carriages and flunkeys,

Estates, an' lots of land.

Why this should be,

My friends," said he,

"I fail to understand.

"Why should they 'ave the bloomin' lot,

When, as I've said before,

It's understood

This man's as good

As that one is—or MORE?

"So what I sez, my friends, sez I,

Is: Down with all the lot,

Unless they share—

It's only fair—

With us what they have got!"

* * *

An Earl, who stood amongst the crowd,

Was very much impressed.

"Dear me," he said,

And smote his head,

"I really am distressed.

"To think that all these many years

I've lived so much at ease,

With leisure, rank,

Cash at the bank,

And luxuries like these,

"While, as this honest person says,

Our class is all to blame

That these have naught:

We really ought

To bow our heads in shame.

"My wealth unto this man I'll give,

My title I will drop,

And then I'll go

And live at Bow

And keep a chandler's shop."

* * *

The Socialist he took the wealth

The Earl put in his hands,

And bought erewhile

A house in style

And most extensive lands.

Was knighted (for some charity

Judiciously bestowed);

Within a year

Was made a Peer;

To fame was on the road.

But do not think that Fortune's smiles

From friends drew him apart,

Or hint that rude

Ingratitude

Could dwell within his heart.

You fear, perhaps, that he forgot

The worthy Earl. Ah, no!

Household supplies

He often buys

From his shop down at Bow.