Hurroo! for those so prompt to vindicate
Compulsory Greek against the Syndicate!

Thus sang, or would, or could, or should have sung,
The modern Greek, in imitative verse;
Meanwhile the Goddess, grave, though ever young,
Stood, Psyche-like, untempted to rehearse
The ragings--angrier ink was seldom slung--
Uttered by BYRON in Minerva's Curse.
She simply stood, as stately-proud as Pallas,
Looking so calm, some might have deemed her callous.

Amusing sight this game! _Don_ versus _Don_
Mixed in a sort of classic Donny brook.
A lethal weapon is a Lexicon
When rivals make a bludgeon of the book.
By her unaided charms the Goddess won
Her way. _This_ is the language of her look.
(The Laureate's) "Judge thou me by what I am,
"So shalt thou find me, fairest"--_sans_ Compulsory Cram!

* * * * *

BETWEEN THE ACTS.

SCENE--_Europe. The Great Powers discovered in Council._

_Russia_. Now, I think I have arranged matters fairly well. I shall
myself lend a hand to France, and that will keep the balance decently
level, so far as Germany is concerned.