in!"

* * * * *

[Illustration: FOOTBALL FEVER. SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN THE MIDLANDS.]

* * * * *

TO "THE LAZY MINSTREL"

_On the publication of his Eighth Edition, with therein
Nineteen Poems originally written for Mr. Punch._

[Illustration: The Lazy Laureate of the Thames.]

Who would not be a Minstrel Lazy?
A trifle crazy,
The best of them! Ah!
Here's ASHBY STERRY, in punt or wherry,
He's ever merry! sing "hey down derry,"
Or anything very
Like Tra! la! la! la!

On sunny days he trolls his lays
With gay guitar and Tra! la! la! la!
From groves and glades come meadow-sweet maids,
None of your saucy minxes or jades;
The poet is there
Without a care.
With no regret, with mild cigarette.