The Humourous Poetry of the English Language

534
He gave the youth a bit of advice:--
"'Parce stimulis, utere loris!'
(A "stage direction," of which the core is,
Don't use the whip--they're ticklish things--
But, whatever you do, hold on to the strings!)
Remember the rule of the Jehu-tribe is,
'Medio tutissimus ibis'
(As the Judge remarked to a rowdy Scotchman,
Who was going to quod between two watchmen!)
So mind your eye, and spare your goad,
Be shy of the stones, and keep in the road!"
Now Phaethon, perched in the coachman's place,
Drove off the steeds at a furious pace,
Fast as coursers running a race,
Or bounding along in a steeple-chase!
Of whip and shout there was no lack,
"Crack--whack--
Whack--crack"
Resounded along the horses' back!--
Frightened beneath the stinging lash,
Cutting their flanks in many a gash,
On--on they sped as swift as a flash,
Through thick and thin away they dash,
(Such rapid driving is always rash!)
When all at once, with a dreadful crash,
The whole "establishment" went to smash!
And Phaethon, he,
As all agree,
Off the coach was suddenly hurled,
Into a puddle, and out of the world!
MORAL.
Don't rashly take to dangerous courses--
Nor set it down in your table of forces,
That any one man equals any four horses!
Don't swear by the Styx!--
It's one of Old Nick's
Diabolical tricks
To get people into a regular "fix,"