 | The Poems of John Byrom |  |
220
ON THE WHIG WORKHOUSE BILL.
I
“This Manchester affair, at last,”Says Plumptre, visiting Sir Harry,
“When we all hoped it should have passed,
Plague on't! has happened to miscarry!”—
II
“Why then, Sir Robert, I must say,Has used as ill,” replies the Knight.
“What! When he might have gained the day.
Sneak off and leave us! Was that right?”—
221
III
“Why, people said, it was a job,”Says Plumptre — as indeed it was!
“And so, on second thoughts Sir Bob
Could not in conscience let it pass.”—
IV
“Conscience!” replies Sir Harry, stillAngered the more at such expressions;
“He makes a conscience of my Bill!
I'm sure I voted for ---
When at the Common's bar Byrom, the Doctor, stood
And told of matters what he could,
Plumptre stood up, and said with front severe:
“Pray, let me ask, how came you here?”—
“How came I here?” thought he; “how came I hither?”—
“You must say something!”—“Why, Sir I walked thither.”—
“Walked thither, Sir! Pray, speak to my intention:
What right claim'd you to be at that convention?”—
“What right? Why, Sir, the right of every man
To do his neighbour service where he can.
Pray, did the persons there advance a claim
Present to be in any but that same?
I would not injure, sir, nor yet define
The rights of others; but this claim is mine.”
Thus it appears, that questions put at random
Were answered right. Quod erat demonstrandum.
And told of matters what he could,
Plumptre stood up, and said with front severe:
“Pray, let me ask, how came you here?”—
“How came I here?” thought he; “how came I hither?”—
“You must say something!”—“Why, Sir I walked thither.”—
“Walked thither, Sir! Pray, speak to my intention:
What right claim'd you to be at that convention?”—
“What right? Why, Sir, the right of every man
To do his neighbour service where he can.
Pray, did the persons there advance a claim
Present to be in any but that same?
I would not injure, sir, nor yet define
The rights of others; but this claim is mine.”
Thus it appears, that questions put at random
Were answered right. Quod erat demonstrandum.
| The Poems of John Byrom | |