'What'S In A Name?'

[Lord Lincolnshire pointed out that Britain's glory has always depended very largely upon men whose names suggest no historical associations; upon the Browns and the McGhees, as well as upon the Willoughbys, the Talbots, and the Cecils.]

In praise of many a noble name, Let lesser poets chaunt a paean; The deathless fame will I proclaim Of others, more plebeian. Let minstrels sing of Montagues, Of Scots and Brabazons and Percys, While lovers of the Muse (or Meux) On Lambtons base their verses. My lyre, which neither mocks nor mimics, Shall laud the humbler patronymics.

Though Talbots may have led the van, And fought the battles of the nation, 'Twas but a simple Elliman Invented embrocation! Though Churchills many a triumph won, And Stanleys made their world adore them, 'Twas Pickford--ay, and Paterson-- Who 'carried' all before them! Not twice, in our rough island story, Was Smith synonymous with glory!

The snob may snigger, if he likes; But on the rolls of Greater Britain The famous name of William Sikes Immortally is written; And when men speak, in sneering tones, Of Brown, Jones, Robinson (They do so!), I always cite John Brown, Burne-Jones And Robinson Caruso, And thus, with bright examples, teach 'em That Beecham's quite as good as Beauchamp!