 | Poems by St. John Honeywood . |  |
57
SPEECH OF A DEMOCRATIC LION.
[_]
The Lion commenceth his Oration by asserting his independence, in reply to Mr. A---. He speaketh much of pedigree, and sheweth his own, negatively and positively. The Lion remarketh on the fondness of some gentlemen for forms and ceremonies—expresseth his dislike thereof; and, withall, concludeth his Oration by declaring his resolution to abide with the Sergeant at Arms while the House should wait on the President.
As still as mice the members sat,
Expecting royal fun, Sir;
The Speaker gently mov'd his hat,
And L*** thus begun, Sir:—
Expecting royal fun, Sir;
The Speaker gently mov'd his hat,
And L*** thus begun, Sir:—
“I'm rugged Mat, the democrat,
“Berate me as you please, Sir;
“True Paddy Whack near turn'd his back,
“Or bow'd his head to Cæsar.
“Berate me as you please, Sir;
“True Paddy Whack near turn'd his back,
“Or bow'd his head to Cæsar.
“Horum, scorum, rendum, roarum,
“Spillam, spallam, squirto;
“Tag, rag, derry, merry, raw head and bloody bones,
“Sing langolee, nobody's hurt, O!
“Spillam, spallam, squirto;
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“Sing langolee, nobody's hurt, O!
“The Yankee crew long since I knew—
“At home I drill them daily;
“There's not a man of all their clan
“But knows my old shelalee.
“At home I drill them daily;
“There's not a man of all their clan
“But knows my old shelalee.
“Horum, scorum, &c.
“These gentry spout of ancient blood—
“It reddens all their speeches:
“Zounds! Sir, my veins contain as good
“As theirs who hang'd the witches.
“It reddens all their speeches:
“Zounds! Sir, my veins contain as good
“As theirs who hang'd the witches.
“Horum, scorum, &c.
“'Tis true my grandam never smirk'd
“And toy'd with the Protector;
“Nor did she spill the beer that work'd
“While folks were gone to lecture.
“And toy'd with the Protector;
“Nor did she spill the beer that work'd
“While folks were gone to lecture.
“Horum, scorum, &c.
59
“My dam, Sir, was a buxom lass,
“Her milk was rich and good, Sir;
“No cow that's fed on clover grass
“Can boast of purer blood, Sir.
“Her milk was rich and good, Sir;
“No cow that's fed on clover grass
“Can boast of purer blood, Sir.
“Horum, scorum, &c.
“My sire he was a strapping buck
“As ever girl sat eye on;
“What wonder then they had the luck
“To bring the world a Lyon!
“As ever girl sat eye on;
“What wonder then they had the luck
“To bring the world a Lyon!
“Horum, scorum, &c.
“The blue skin'd lads are vastly fond
“Of 'lection, shows and raising;
“They love to strut, like geese from pond,
“And set the fools a gazing.
“Of 'lection, shows and raising;
“They love to strut, like geese from pond,
“And set the fools a gazing.
“Horum, scorum, &c.
“We Lions bold abominate
“To court the great and wealthy;
“I did it not in Vermont State—
“I sha'n't in Philadelphia.
“To court the great and wealthy;
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“I sha'n't in Philadelphia.
“Horum, scorum, &c.
“Nor was I to this Congress sent
“To dress like coxcombs fine, Sir;
“To cringe before the President,
“And taste his cake and wine, Sir.
“To dress like coxcombs fine, Sir;
“To cringe before the President,
“And taste his cake and wine, Sir.
“Horum, scorum, &c.
“Go you who like such royal cheer,
“And stalk in long procession;
“I'll stay and eat my luncheon here,
“As at the extra session.
“And stalk in long procession;
“I'll stay and eat my luncheon here,
“As at the extra session.
“Horum, scorum, rendum, roarum,
“Spillam, spallam, squirto;
“Tag, rag, derry, merry, raw head and bloody bones,
“Sing langolee, nobody's hurt, O!”
“Spillam, spallam, squirto;
“Tag, rag, derry, merry, raw head and bloody bones,
“Sing langolee, nobody's hurt, O!”
| Poems by St. John Honeywood . | |