AN ODE TO "PIECE."

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 63

AN ODE TO "PIECE."

FROM THE RUSSIAN" POINT OF VIEW. Oh, Piece! ble3sed Piece! sweet Piece of Cathay! Now fold thy light wings and rest in my arms ; Pain would the Briton have torn thee away, But Piece-loving Russia will guard thy charms. I preaoh to the West on the beauty of Peace, But the Peace that I keep niu3t bring me incrrase. Oh, Piece! lovely Piece f fair Piece of Cabul! My rail to India is finished in plan; No longer believe that wily J. Bull,' But fly to my breast, sweet Piece of Afghan! I've heard Salisbury's making-, my love, at Dum-duni, Some bullets horrific for thy little tumtum. Most beautiful Piece of all in the world! My fondness for thee has angered John Bull ; Yet soon shall he see my banners unfurled On thy ramparts and towers, proud Piece of Stamboul .' I bawl " Peace " at Tho Hague, to humbug the rest, But this Piece of Turkey is the Piece I love best. - • r - - - Oh., Piece! charming Piecel bright PioCe of Persia! ■ . - - Awake from thy sleep and come to jny heart; Peace only you'll find when a piece of Russia, Never again from my clutch to depart. Fear not, dearest Piece, in my arms to repose, The Briton' may rage — he's naught but an ass, '■■ Or else he would see, what everyone knows, Thou'rt the Piece that I want, sweet Bander Abbas. Oh, Piece ! for thy coming I yearn and I pine ; On the Peace of content the others may feast, But Rxissia — more modest — will sparingly dine On another small Piece of Afghan or the East. — SOUTHLANDER. June 1899.