PALINODE.
["In my old Radical days."—Mr. Chamberlain.]
Yes, I once was a smart little Rad
Who talked about "lilies" and "ransom."
Those views, which were shallow and mad,
I retract, in a manner most handsome.
Eh? "Skeletons," "Armchairs"? Oh no!
I hold they are traitors or sillies,
Who talk (like the juvenile Joe)
About skeletons, ransom, and lilies!
Ri fol de rol liddle lol dol!
I might be indulging to-day
In the rampant and rancorous Rad's tone,
Swearing "lilies" full "ransom" must pay,
If it hadn't a-been for that Gladstone!
He serves as a warning to me,
A sort of political helot;
But, thanks to old W. G.,
I'm no longer a radical zealot!
Ri fol de rol liddle lol dol!
