Volume 158 — THE HEALING WATERS OF SPA.
Reading edition
[It is feared that the Treaty with the Turk will not be signed in time for him to receive an invitation to join the Allies and their late enemies, towards the end of May, at the Conference to be held at Spa, where it is proposed to discuss a common scheme for the regeneration of the world.]
Sweet after hopes deferred that make The stomach feel so queer, To think the Peace for which we ache May very soon be here; That, though but scarce two years have passed Since we contrived to win it, The War, if things go on so fast, May end at any minute. Yet must the pace be hotter still With less of "hum!" and "ha!" If we would have our pleasure's fill And meet the Turk at Spa; How nice if he could only come, Fresh from Armenian slaughter, And join our Mixed Symposium Over a mineral water! His ripe experience would show Just how (by Allah's grace) To make this world of sin and woe Into a better place; And, though we failed to cure at sight All ills that want allaying, At least (between the Acts) we might Together go a-Maying. O. S.