SLOPS ALL ROUND!
Tennyson Teetotalised.
[The Manchester Good Templars having expostulated with the Poet Laureate for countenancing "in his latest so-called patriotic song, Hands all Round," the heathen and intoxicating custom of drinking toasts (in anything stronger than toast and water) it is understood that the conscience-stricken Bard has prepared the following "revised version" for the special use of the I. O. G. T's.]
FIRST pledge the Alliance, friends, and then
A health to WILFRID, champion dear!
He honours best that best of men
Who drinks his health in ginger-beer.
May LAWSON'S jokes for ever live,
With washier shine from day to day,
He's Freedom true Conservative,
Who Zoedone imbibes alway.
Slops all round!
Heaven the Wittler's hopes confound!
To the great cause Teetotal, swig my friends,
And the great name of LAWSON round and round!
To Local Optionists who long
To hold the land in leading-strings,
By boldly banning liquors strong,
For lemonade and such sweet things.
To all who 'neath our watery skies,
Would English wits with water whelm,
To Toastandwaterdom's swift rise,
Till the Good Templar rules the realm,
Slops all round!
Heaven the Wittler's hopes confound!
To the great cause Teetotal swig, my friends,
And the great name of LAWSON round and round!
To all our Statesmen, so they be
Forwarders of our League's desire,
To both our Houses, if with glee
They'll quench, in water, Freedom's fire,
What odds though Freedom's flag should sink,
Whilst high the Temperance banner waves?
Shall Britons bondsmen be to Drink
Through fear of being Slopdom's slaves?
Slops all round!
Heaven the Wittlers' hopes confound!
To the great cause Teetotal swig, my friends,
And the great name of LAWSON round and round!