TAKE YOUR POLITICS HENCE.
I
Take your politics hence, for one evening at least,
Drive that demon of discord away from the feast;
To my party the men of all parties may come,
If they'll only just leave party feeling at home.
The speechless in public are ever, I see,
Like orator puffs in a snug coterie;
If you name your vile House you will give me offence,
Oh, let my house be neutral—take politics hence.
II
These politics now are become quite a pest;
What a fuss ere we venture to ask a new guest!
“Mr. E., do you see, would be welcome to me,
But then—do you think he'd chime in with Lord G?”
So the pleasantest men you must sort and divide,
When you find that their politics don't coincide.
If you name your vile House you will give me offence,
Oh, let my house be neutral—take politics hence.
III
The ladies are now a political race;
They think of their canvass much more than their lace.
And instead of soft whispers in private, they each
Wish to hear a young man's parliamentary speech!
A reforming old Tory, you now may look big,
And I'll call myself a Conservative Whig;
And we'll tell the fair creatures to talk common sense,
For that my house is neutral—take politics hence.
