A STUDY HOUR.

Oh! what a mystery The study is of history! How the kings go ravaging And savaging about! Plantagenet or Tudor, I can’t tell which was ruder; But Richard Third, Upon my word, Was worst of all the rout. Alfred was a hero, Knew no guile nor fear, oh! Beat the Danes and checked the Thanes, And ruled the country well. Edward First, the Hammer, Was a slaughterer and slammer, And Bruce alone Saved Scotland’s throne, When ’neath his blows it fell. Edward Third was great, too, Early fought and late, too; Drove the French From Cressy’s trench Like leaves before the blast. But Harry Fifth, the glorious, He the all-victorious, He’s the one I’d serve alone, From first unto the last. Oh! what a mystery The study is of history! Queens and kings, And wars and things, All done in black and white. Though sometimes a trifle bloody, ’Tis my best beloved study, For only so One learns, you know, To govern and to fight!