20 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



" Oh," cried the banking partners, "oh ! 

 It alters things if that be so ; 

 For business is most truly * jam ' 

 When done with Hope of Amsterdam. 

 We will consider what you say, 

 Good Mr Grabyourshare, good-day." 



Epaminondas Grabyourshare 

 With speed most wholly past compare 

 A rapid course began to cram, 

 And landed soon at Amsterdam, 

 Where to the father quick he sped 

 Of her whom he aspired to wed. 



Good Mr Hope received him there 



With somewhat of a boorish stare 



He did indeed but lightly mark 



An under-sub-assistant clerk 



And half he gasped when this one cried, 



" Your daughter, sir, must be my bride ! " 



'Twas not for long, for soon he rose, 

 And grasping by the nether clothes 

 This suitor of his dainty lamb, 

 He spoke in oaths of Amster dam, 

 And in a moment, and no more, 

 Was kicking him from out the door. 



" Ah," said Epaminondas, " ah ! 

 Perhaps you'll pose as my papa, 

 Perhaps you'll change your angry mind, 

 And cease to kick me from behind, 

 On knowing me my stars, I thank ! 

 Partner in Gwillian Beacon's Bank." 



