The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
321
SONNET IV
PERFECT IGNOMINY
To tax the rich and make the poor man's lot
Harder; to watch the German fleet expand;
To leave our Navy weak and undermanned;
To hear truth told and alter not a jot;
To shuffle, quibble, drivel, palter, plot;
To skulk round corners, lest some woman's hand
Strike; to give aid to every alien land;
To leave our working folk to starve and rot;
To clip the Army and curtail the Fleet;
To cringe to every rowdy in the street;
To cadge for votes, half knave, half smug-faced fool;
Was this enough? Nay, he must add to this
A lecherous longing for the Irish kiss,
A shameless rank adultery with Home Rule.
December 31, 1909.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |