Finding it easy for a Frog to jog
      On with a kind King Log. 
  But in the fulness of the time, there came
  A would-be monarch—­Legion his fit name;
  A Plebs-appointed Autocrat, Stork-throated,
      Goggle-eyed, Paul-Pry-coated;
  A poking, peering, pompous, petty creature,
  A Bumble-King, with beak for its chief feature. 
      This new King Stork,
  With a fierce, fussy appetite for work;
  Not satisfied with fixing like a vice
  Authority on Town and Country Mice,
  Tried to extend his sway to pools and bogs,
      And rule the Frogs! 
  But modern Frogdom, which had champions able,
      Had read old-AEsop’s fable,
  And of King Stork’s appearance far from amorous,
      Croaked forth a chorus clamorous
  Of resonant rebellion.  These, upreared
  On angry legs, waved arms that nothing feared;
  King Log defending.  Great CRAUGASIDES,
  Among batrachian heroes first with ease,
  With ventriloquial vehemence defied
  The long-beaked base usurper.  At his side
  His fond companion, PHYSIGNATHUS swelled
      Cheeks humorously defiant;
          The ruddy giant
  CRAMBOPHAGUS, as tall as is a Tree,
  Flouted King Stork with gestures fierce and free,
  Sleek CALAMINTHIUS, aper deft of eld,
  Against the foe a pungent dart impelled;
          HYDROCHARIS too,
      (Most Terryble to view),
  Fared to the front, whilst smaller, yet as brave
  Tiny batrachian brethren, dusk of hue,
  PRASSOPHAGUS, PRASSOEUS, staunch and true,
      Webbed hands did wildly wave
  With the frog-host against the beaky bird—­
  “He be our King?” they loudly cried. 
          “Absurd!

  Not Mercury, nor Jupiter we beg
  For a devouring despot, lank of leg,
  Of prying eye, and frog-transfixing beak;
      Though singly we seem weak,
  United we are strong to smite or scoff. 
  Off, would-be tyrant, off!!!”

* * * * *

CHURCH AND STAGE.—­Let no rabid Churchmen, of any school of thought, ever again take exception to the irreligious character of playhouse entertainments.  Let them read the advertisement of the Lyceum Theatre in The Times for March 13:—­“During Holy Week this theatre will be closed, re-opening on Saturday, March 28, with The Bells, which will also be played on Easter Monday night.”  Could any arrangement be more thoroughly in harmony with general ecclesiastical practice?  Any liturgical student knows that the bells are played once on Holy Saturday, and that they should be played on Easter Monday is a matter of course.

* * * * *

TRACKS FOR THE TIMES.

[A Magistrate has just decided that the Police have a right to interfere with the growing practice of using the public roads of the Metropolis at night-time as running-grounds for athletes.]

  I come from haunts of smoke and grime,
    I start in some blind alley,
  And race each night against Old Time
    Enthusiastically!