Now Louis had two flower pots
He nourished with much care,
But little knew that Willie’s eyes
Were set upon the pair.
In one there grew an Alsace Rose,
The other a Lorraine,
And Willie vowed they once were his
And must be his again.
He said his father once lodged there,
And that the Dame did know
That Louis’ predecessors once
Had sneaked them in a row.
In Willie’s council was a lad
Well up to every quirk;
To keep him out of mischief long,
Dame Europe had her work.
To this smart youth Saint Willie
Did whisper his desire,
One night as they sat smoking,
Besides the kitchen fire—
“To get them flowers back again,”
Said Bissy, very low,
“Meet Louis somewhere on the quiet,
And try to cause a row.
“But mind the other deputies
Don’t catch you on the hop,
For John and Joseph you must know
Your little game would stop.
“For Joseph he has not forgot
The day you warmed his rig;
And christian Denmark still thinks on
About his nice Slesvig.”
“By your advice, my own Dear Mark,
I have been guided on,
But what about that man i’t’bunk?”
(Pointing o’er to John.)
“He’s very plucky too is John,
But yet he’s very slow,
And perhaps he never may perceive
Our scheme about the row.