JABEZWOCKY.
Reading edition
["In the House of Lords a Bill strengthening the power of making Directors liable in respect of misconduct or neglect in the winding-up of Companies passed its second reading."—Daily Paper.]
'Twas Ruin! And the Small Invest- -Ors gyred and gimbled in despair; Common as dirt were Shareholders, But assets very rare! "Beware the Jabezwock, my Lord! The jaws that bite, the claws that dig; Beware the Hobbs-hobbs bird, and shun The saintly Guinea-pig!" The Peer set out, his Bill in hand; He had to be extremely leary In tackling such an artful foe, Whose weapon was Suppressio Veri! And as he mused o'er blighted lives, The Jabezwock, as yet unfloored, Came snuffling piously to join A meeting of its Board. One, two! One, two! And through and through All stages passed the Bill like winking; And this is what the Peers just then Most probably were thinking:— "And have we scotched the Jabezwock, And spoiled him of his false Prospectus! O frabjous day! What Rad will say That from this House he'd now eject us?" 'Twas Ruin ruined! And the dupes Quite chortled such a sight to see; The smug Director brought to book Near to the Dividend Tree!