_Grandolphus_ (_tugging at Balfourius's tunic-tails_). Ha! ha! ha! Well quoted, my Orange-plumed Hyperborean hero! (_Aside: I must read up the bards a bit. Didn't know they were so practically pertinent. How handy that_ "_senesque_" _bit came in the other day!_)
_Balfourius_ (_fidgeting_). I say, GRANDOLPHUS, if you'd tug at the rope, instead of my tails, I fancy you'd tire me less, and have more effect on the Ram.
_Grandolphus_ (_cheerily_). Ah, my old friend, I assure you I intend to stick to _you_ "loyally and unhesitatingly."
_Chamberlainus._ Never _were_ such a United lot as we are:
_For I love dear_ B. _as a brother, I do,_ _And dear_ B. _he worships me;_ _But we'll both be blowed if we'll either be stowed_ _In the other chap's hold, you see!_
_Chamberlainus._ Oh, merely humming "Birds in their little nests agree."
_Balfourius._ Ah, as the Chief says, there'll be plenty of opportunity for personal sacrifice and pulling together before we're through with this siege. To work this Battering-Ram with effect, unanimity and simultaneity of effort are especially essential.
_Saundersonius._ Quite so! So bear a hand--_at the rope_, GRANDOLPHUS, if you please. Now then, boys--_all together!!!_ BANG!!!!!!
_Grand Old Voice_ (_from within_). "When they _do_ agree, their unanimity is wonderful." Wonder if that gate will stand the shock! Must disable that Rampant Ram of theirs--somehow.
SUFFICIENTLY ANTIQUE.--Said TOMKINS, "I won't say my ancestors were in this Country before the Flood, _but_ they came in with the High Tide."
_Tompkins_ (_in a feeble voice, for the fourth or fifth time, with no result_). "CHAIRMAN!!! CHAIRMAN!!!"
_That Awful Boy._ "LYDIES AND GENTLEMEN----!!"]
(_After reading the rattling verses of_ "Tis," _entitled "Good Luck!" in the "Granta."_)
Good old _Granta_! They set the blood glowing, Your verse-grinder's galloping lines, There seems rare inspiration in Rowing! The Muse, who politely declines To patronise pessimist twitters, Has smiled on these stanzas, which smack Of health, honest zeal, foaming "bitters," And vigour of brain and of back.
Good luck to the Light Blues! That burden Befits rattling rhymes from the Cam, Their "movement" might rouse a Dame DURDEN, Or fire a cold victim of cram. Why it stirs up "old Crocks" to peruse 'em-- Slashing lines on "a slashing octette"-- They feel, though 'tis hard to "enthuse" 'em, There _must_ be some life in 'em yet.