MADAME DIOGENES.
Diogenes. What are these better possessions you speak of?
Krates. Wisdom, self-sufficiency, truth, plain-speaking, freedom.
Lucian's Dialogues of the Dead.
Ah! Madame La France, after trials all round
Of great Chiefs and their squabbling political progenies,
Like him of Sinope, at last you are found
With lantern in hand, a true Lady Diogenes.
The precinct is dark, and seems growing still dimmer,
Your wandering light shows a devious glimmer.
A right Honest Man? He was scarce in the Courts.
He seems very nearly as scarce in the Caucuses.
You've had leaders of late of all sizes and sorts,
And the gloom of the outlook is utter as Orcus's.
Imperial, Royalist, Red Flag or White,
Not one of them leads La Belle France to the light.
Wisdom, truth and plain-speaking? Ah, where are they found?
As scarce in these days as is genuine freedom!
They all prate of Honour, yet Honour all round
They'll sell for the first mess of pottage from Edom.
Well, Madame, Punch wishes you luck with your lantern,
And up, soon or late, may a true Honest Man turn!