The Bar is not marble, nor soldiers alone
The combustible part of the nation.
For alas! That Palladium by Englishmen prized
Couldn't stand the assaults of the French;
The profligate writer soon demoralized
The Jury, the Bar, and the Bench.
'Don't you think it a shame to keep ladies from this?'
Said Lush, to the Chief, half aside;
'Parhleu and Mon Dieu!' said the Chief, 'so it is,'
And he sent to invite them inside.
And adds, 'Lest they're crowded in gallery high,
Politeness we'll learn from the French,
So, usher, the prettiest girls you can spy, Just offer a seat on the Bench.'
Toute suite, with gay muslins, the Bench was o'er charged,
And the Chief, it may be, showed his taste,
When the rules of his court he forever enlarged,
And took Mabel Grey round the waist.
And Mellor was seen to nod, smirk, and gloat
On red cheeks and corked eyelids with glee;
And Lush found it difficult taking a note With Baby Thornhili on his knee.
Ancl the Jury sat grinning and winking their eye,
And decency treating with scorn,
While they chucked billets doux to the girls who were by
For appointments that night at Cremorne.
And then the infection ran all through the Bar,
And flirting and spooning began,
Till the ushers were pulled up for going too far,
In wanting to dance the Can-Can!
