Shaun’s Patch

Southland Times, Issue 22766, 17 December 1935, Page 8

Shaun’s Patch

A little nonsense now and then !■ relished by the wisest men. —Hudlbrae.

Oil sanctions don’t appear to be going smoothly. * ♦ * * Threat of war means that “no oil” will be thrown on troubled waters. * * • * The Government’s idea seems to be that the country shall spend a Merry Christmas. * * * * Rectify carries with it the implieating of putting right, of correcting, and it is, therefore, interesting to find that the proposal to give Italy large slices of Ethiopia describes this as a rectification of the frontier. » » * » Before Professor Sinclaire gives himself a final preen over his English paper he should hear the language of the candidates. * ♦ * * Signor Mussolini urged the departing Blackshirts “to feel the pride of loving and fighting.” In Abyssinia? • » » • Can you sell a racehorse as a going concern? < * » » * Ah, my friend, even the favourites are not always going concerns. Sometimes these dead certainties are “dead” certainties. » * * * Horses race for cups and mugs. * * * * Even a joke may be damaged when its cracked. * * ♦ * I notice that Punch says: “The aim of internationalism is to inter nationalism.” Unfortunately we will have to kill all belief in the resurrection before any real good is done. * ♦ • * SCHOOLS OF POETRY. (a) By the Word. Come with me in the day and hear a ewe go bah-bah-bah-bah for a lamb And see a lamb, a lamb cry bah-bah-bah-bah for its ewe These two go bah-bah-bah-bah-bah, and no one care’s a But, dear, what is bah-bah to me and what’s bah-bah to you? (b) By the Line. Come To-Day Hear ewe Cry Bah, Bah, • Bah, Bah, For Its Lamb. And Hear Lamb Cry Bah, Bah, Bah, Bah, For Its Ewe Etc. (c) By the Stanza. Bah-bah lambs say Hear them to-day. And bah-bah too Declares the ewe. See how this pair Bah in the air. But ewe or lamb I just say . You, sweetest star, Will echo “Bah.” (d) By the Piece. No matter why they cry The sheep don’t trouble I.