Classic Poem

A NEW SONG

ATTEMPTED FROM THE FRENCH

I.

From the blood-bedew'd vallies and mountains of France,
See the Genius of Gallic invasion advance!
Old Ocean shall waft her, unruffled by storm,
While our shores are all lined with the Friends of Reform .
Confiscation and Murder attend in her train;
With meek-eyed Sedition, the daughter of Pame;
While her sportive Poissardes , with light footsteps are seen,
To dance in a ring round the gay Guillotine .

II.

To London, " the rich, the defenceless, " she comes —
Hark! my boys, to the sound of the Jacobin drums!
See Corruption, Prescription, and Privilege fly,
Pierced through by the glance of her blood-darting eye.
While patriots, from prison and prejudice freed,
In soft accents shall lisp the Republican Creed,
And with tri-colour'd fillets, and cravats of green,
Shall crowd round the altar of Saint Guillotine .

III.

See the level of Freedom sweeps over the land —
The vile Aristocracy's doom is at hand!
Not a seat shall be left in a House that we know ,
But for Earl Buonaparte and Baron Moreau . —
But the rights of the Commons shall still be respected,
Buonaparte himself shall approve the elected;
And the Speaker shall march with majestical mien,
And make his three bows to the grave Guillotine .

IV.

Two heads, says the proverb, are better than one,
But the Jacobin choice is for Five Heads or none.
By Directories only can Liberty thrive;
Then down with the O NE , Boys! and up with the F IVE !
How our bishops and judges will stare with amazement,
When their heads are thrust out at the National Casement!
When the National Razor has shaved them quite clean,
What a handsome oblation to Saint Guillotine!