THE PRODIGALS

(Dedicated to Mr. Chaplin, M.P., and Mr. Richard Power, M.P., and 223 who followed him)

MINISTERS! you, most serious,

Critics and statesmen of all degrees,

Hearken awhile to the motion of us—

Senators keen for the Epsom breeze!

Nothing we ask of poets or fees;

Worry us not with objections, pray!

Lo, for the speaker's wig we seize—

Give us, ah! give us the Derby Day.

Scots most prudent, penurious!

Irishmen busy as bumblebees!

Hearken awhile to the motion of us—

Senators keen for the Epsom breeze!

For Sir Joseph's sake, and his owner's, please!

(Solomon raced like fun, they say.)

Lo, for we beg on our bended knees—

Give us, ah! give us the Derby Day.

Campbell—Asheton be generous!

(But they voted such things were not the cheese.)

Sullivan, hear us, magnanimous!

(But Sullivan thought with their enemies.)

And shortly they got both of help and ease,

For a mad majority crowded to say,

"Debate we've drunk to the dregs and lees:

Give us, ah! give us the Derby Day."

Prince, most just was the motion of these,

And many were seen by the dusty way,

Shouting glad to the Epsom breeze

Give us, ah! give us the Derby Day.

Anonymous.