“Lord John upon a gallant Grey,
Like his great sires of old,
Stood foremost of the company,
His bearing it was bold:
“‘Shew me,’ said he, ‘what right have ye
To kick up sic a steer,[65]
For a few dirty border towns,
Worth little goods or gear.’
“The first that then did answer make
Was Wellington so free,
Who said, ‘We’ll keep our borough towns,—
Corrupted though they be.
“‘For we have bought our borough towns
There’s none can that gainsay.’
Then Russell swore a solemn oath,
And likewise did Earl Grey.
“‘We will not thus outbravèd be:
Proud chief, thy strength we’ll try;
We know thee for a bloody man,
In this thy strength does lie.
“‘But as we wish for no man’s death,
Nor any blood to spill,
You see we’ve brought into the field
No weapons but a Bill.
“‘Let you and I the matter try,
With reason on each side.’
‘Curse on your cant,’ said Wellington;
‘You Whigs I can’t abide.’
“Then stept a quibbling lawyer forth,
Old Wetherell was his name,
Who said, ‘he would not have it told
In Boroughbridge for shame,
“‘That e’er his captain or himself,
While he stood looking on,
Would condescend, or reasons give,
For reasons they had none.
“‘I’ll do the worst that I can do,
These inroads to withstand;
While I have power to use my tongue,
The robbers I will brand.’