Humph! Show is very passable, no doubt;

And as you pull the strings, my clever Showman,

'Tis clear that you know what you are about,

Sense's sworn friend, and babbling folly's foeman.

The slides, as worked by you, seem mighty fine,

A trifle vague, perhaps, in composition,

Sloppy in colouring, and weak in line,

As is the civic peep-show's old tradition;

Still there is graphic vigour here and there,

Perspective, and a general sense of "movement."

On the old "Shirker" Show, 'tis only fair

To own, it evidences some improvement.

Plenty of slides! there is no doubt of that;

In fact one questions if there are too many.

Yes, I shall find when you pass round the hat,

The price is more than the old-fashioned Penny.

I pay my money and I take my—choice?

Well no, it won't quite fit, that fine old patter.

Still, if your Show proves good, I shall rejoice;

A trifling rise in fee won't greatly matter,

If 'tis not too "progressive" (as you say).

To stump up for sound work I'm always willing;

But though, of course, a Penny may not pay,

One wants a first-class Peep-Show for a Shilling!

Some of your novel slides are rather nice,

Some of them, on the other hand, look funny.

I felt grave doubts about 'em once or twice.

I don't want muddlers to absorb my money.

However, as I said, 'tis very clear

As puller of the strings you yield to no man.

The Show seems promising, if rather dear,

But anyhow it has a first-rate Showman!