VESTED RIGHT.
There's strength in rock, to take the shock
Of wave, with naked brows;
There's pith in oak, to mock the stroke
Of wind, with stubborn boughs;
But where grew wood, and where rock stood
Wind blows and sea-wave ploughs.
I am not rock, I am not oak;
My roots are short and slight;
With foes more grave than wind or wave
It is my lot to fight.
'Gainst Time and Life I wage a strife—
My name is Vested Right!
And still I stand, all through the land,
With face for every foe;—
The Vestry's lord—its law my word—
I deal my "aye" and "no:"—
On Boards of Health I glide by stealth,
All new lights out to blow.
As Alderman, whene'er I can
The civic roast I rule;
My fingers fold all icy-cold
Round Charity and School;
From off the Bench, Law's sword I wrench,
And make the blade my tool.
From high St. Paul's my vision falls
Upon a world of slaves;
That foul line rounds my kingdom's bounds
With intramural graves;
Yon pall of smoke, that Heaven doth choke—
'Tis my black flag that waves!
As Kings of old, when they would hold
A Progress through the land,
Had hunting-seat or palace meet
Still ready at command;
So seats are mine, where lodgings line,
Garnished and swept do stand—
'Tis where doth stream the fœtid steam
From the bone-boiler's vat,
The knacker's yard, which penned and barred,
Sends out its odours fat;
The slaughter-vault, whence, ne'er at fault,
Peereth the carrion rat.
In tanneries' stink, on cesspools' brink,
I sit and sleep and snuff;
The fever's breath brings me no death,
I hold such terrors stuff;
The odours flung from Smithfield dung
To me smell sweet enough.
I've my own graves to take the slaves
Whom 'tis my mood to kill;
The parish may the cost defray,
Full pits my pockets ill.
I've gains allowed from shell and shroud—
Each pauper brings his bill!
When of my field an inch I yield,
I yield it nothing loath;
The vacant spot is straight a plot
For Compensation's growth—
That vigorous weed whose fruitful seed
I sow and harvest both.
While thus I rule, the good old school
Rebellious spirits tames:
My sway supports in camps and courts—
One shape of many names!
Who dares make fight 'gainst Vested Right?
Who dares gainsay my claims?