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British Savages
[Murders, and attempts to murder, or maim by means
of knife, revolver, or the
vitriol-phial are increasing rapidly in England. Apart from the awful deeds
in the
first-named connection, over one hundred cases of vitriol throwing are
reported in
the northern suburb alone.]
TIME was when we sneered at the foreigner's way
Of settling disputes with a stab or a shot,
We mocked at the Spaniard, Italian, Malay,
The wild Western "rowdy," the Turk, and what not;
And the pistol (which both were in foreign parts rife),
We used but the first, and we needed no aid
From knife or revolver--revolver or knife!
But now, here in England, where once e'en the
brute
Made war with his firsts, or, at worst, with his feet--
That brute is now given to stab or to shoot,
Yes, e'en in the usual "row" in the street.
The pistol and poniard have lately become
In daily request as the weapons of strife,
And men, women, and children, in every slum
Dread the knife and revolver, revolver and knife!
All this being thus--certain shops may be found
(One especially, close to the Drury Lane slum),
Where second-hand "bowies" and pistols abound,
Each offered for sale at a moderate sum.
Nice temptation for brutes and bloodthirsty curs
To maltreat or murder their "women" or wives!
Yet, despite daily outrage, the Law never stirs
To check this large trade in revolvers and knives!
How long shall this loathesome hell-brood be allowed
These weapons--and vitriol even--to buy?
Once caught, all such scum with the lash should be cowed--
The garotter was wont at the nine-tails to cry.
Sentimentalists long wished the lash were subdued
But now that our brutes daily seek human life,
E'en these faddists mayn't weep if we lash all the brood
Who dare buy vitriol-bottle, revolver, and knife!
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