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Belloc: Cautionary Verses
And finally there eame a Threat
To oust him from the Cabinet!
The Duke—his aged grandsire—bore
The shame till he could bear no more.
He rallied his declining powers,
Summoned the youth to Brackley Towers,
And bitterly addressed him thus—
'Sir! you have disappointed us!
We had intended you to be
The next Prime Minister but three:
The stocks were sold; the Press was squared;
The Middle Class was quite prepared.
But as it is!... My language fails!
Go out and govern New South Wales!'
The Aged Patriot groaned and died:
And gracious! how Lord Lundy cried!
HILAIRE BELLOC
ON LADY POLTAGRUE, A PUBLIC
PERIL
The Devil, having nothing else to do,
Went off to tempt My Lady Poltagrue.
My Lady, tempted by a private whim,
To his extreme annoyance, tempted him.
HILAIRE BELLOC
ON A GENERAL ELECTION
The accurséd power which stands on Privilege
(And goes with Women, and Champagne and Bridge)
Broke—and Democracy resumed her reign:
(Which goes with Bridge, and Women and Champagne).
HILAIRE BELLOC
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