Classic Poem

Le Ventru.

Electors of my Province, all,
'Twere fitting that ye knew,
How through the sessions I have served
My prince, my country, you
The State hath not decayed, 'tis clear;
And I — I'm fat and blooming here.
Oh, what dinners the Ministers gave — as I live,
What capital dinners the Ministers give!

True to the Belly , I obeyed
Instructions, and was seen
Sitting ten paces from Villele,
From d'Argenson fifteen:
For I, well stuffed with truffles, entered
That belly where such dainties centered
Oh, what dinners the Ministers gave — as I live,
What capital dinners the Ministers give!

Since Government must have some folks
Who speak, within its reach,
And some to cough the speaker down
Who makes too good a speech,
I've spoken, o'er and o'er again;
I've coughed, and coughed with might and main:
Oh, what dinners the Ministers gave — as I live,
What capital dinners the Ministers give!

If fettered be the press, 'tis but
My promise coming true;
If well I've spoken of the brave,
I had for that my cue:
I may have voted in one day
Just ten times ay, and ten times nay:
Oh, what dinners the Ministers gave — as I live,
What capital dinners the Ministers give!

Inquiries all — to please the Court —
I've done my best to stay:
On all petitions I have called
The " order of the day: "
In the King's name I've raised a shout
That helped to keep the banished out.
Oh, what dinners the Ministers gave — as I live,
What capital dinners the Ministers give!

Proofs that the money's well laid out
On the police, I've quoted:
And, no less Frenchman than a Swiss,
I for the Swiss have voted
Let's keep, and for sufficient reason,
These friends who serve the house in season.
Oh, what dinners the Ministers gave — as I live,
What capital dinners the Ministers give!

Of course, you'll raise the means to pay —
In spite of croakings sinister —
The belly-men, the Alien,
The Alien, the Minister:
The people in our utmost need
Somewhat more sparingly must feed.
Oh, what dinners the Ministers gave — as I live,
What capital dinners the Ministers give!

I'm named Crown-lawyer; and in short,
I've done as well as others:
I've found employment for three sons,
And places for two brothers;
For future sessions too, I trow,
I've scores of invitations now
Oh, what dinners the Ministers gave — as I live,
What capital dinners the Ministers give!