“Onward!” from “Fun” (1893)

Onward!

John Gordon Thomson (1841-1911)

Fun 57-58 (22 February 1893): 82??

Beneath the main caption: “‘The whole business we have undertaken is full of thorns and brambles.’ — Mr. Gladstone on the Home Rule Bill.” The crown and Joseph Chamberlain (upper right) are some of the obstacles.

Source: Hathi Digital Library Trust web version of a copy in the University of Minnesota library.

See below for the poem that accompanies this editorial cartoon: (52).

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the Hathi Digital Library Trust and the University of Minnesota library and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one. — George P. Landow]

Onward

The vigorous veteran, who
As a warrior seems such a wonder,
Has shown his opponents anew
That to think him eﬁete is a blunder.

His grip is as ﬁrm as of yore,
And as great is his power of ﬁghting;
Whilst he never was braver before,
And his weapons are trenchant and biting.

To succour a maid in distress
He remains most undoubtedly ready,
And they who desire to oppress
Know full well that his purpose is steady.

He isn't the mortal to quail
At a duty that bristles with danger;
And more, as for fearing to fail,
Unto that he's an absolute stranger.

The path he is choosing to tread
Is a rough one, and no one supposes
He's likely to ﬁnd it a bed
Of unprickly, delectable roses.

But awkward obstructions he scorns,
Having overcome hosts in his rambles:
You can’t stop his progress by thorns,
He'll go onward in spite of the brambles.

Last modified 4 February 2016