CARPET SLIPPERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 70, 23 March 1935, Page 2 (Supplement)

CARPET SLIPPERS

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of jNI. Venizelos, but as Italy is not likely to deport him, it i< expected the Greek Government will courtmartial him in his absence and possibly sentence him to death.

When I am four score years, or more, In eiffhteen-penny slippers, I'll sit outside my cottars door And watch the little nippers. I'll toast my toes before the lire When come the searching winters, I'll ho no marvellous old trier Among the youthful sprinters : I shall not want my youthful days To be again repeated, I shall not he —if I may say, So frightfully conceited. Take Venizelos — sample he Of old birds—they're in plenty, Who cackles scnilily, lie! He! " I reel ;is Rood as twenty," When he might roll n flowing bowl. In sinuous convolution, But lie, poor chap—the silly soul Goes in for revolution, He might collect the rarest stamps, Or potter round his garden, Instead, lie's found ill roaring camps, Without; e'en n "beg pardon," He bustles his olvl heart about, And for a whisper, gives a shout. Chaps like Wee David — T>. Lloyd George Get ii new lease of liver, .Seeking new links to sweetly forge, His wild locks nil a-quiver. While he might potter in his park, Or snare the wily haddock, Catch butterflies, or have a lurk With Rosle in the paddock. "They need me," shout these poor old chaps (The phrase is oft repeated), They hang the oak with feeble taps, And think that Time is cheated.

Take coves of ancient vintage like Superbufi Cinclnnatus, Who did bis celebrated hike From ploiiKh to his old status; There to engage on battle grounds His ohl bones all α-rattle, lie miftlit have milder pleasures found Anions bis brindle cattle. You know, of course, the ancient bird, From his old plough rotrentod To prance around —'twas most absurd To be so dashed conceited. When I am four score years, or more, I'll lot Hie youngsters do it, And waoii there's troublous time in store, Lot younger fry go to it. I'm- mo, I'll sit and wntrh thn worms. Nor write to tell Hie papers Just what to do whpii mankind squirms, And nations have the vapours. When I am four score years, or more, I'll get a grandchild's elate—lie Will prove willi me thnt yeni'H four score Will yield the answer —eight; ! —C.J.