A huckster's stall—a swarming noisy den
Of bargaining, brutal, ignorant, moneyed men—
England, historic England! She is dead,
And o'er her dust the conquering traders tread,
Crowning with shameful glory on her grave,
Some greasy Jew or speculating knave;
While blundering Gladstone, double-tongued and sly,
Rules; the dread 'Struldbrug,'[2] who will never die!
"Thus far I've held my undisturbed career
Prepared for rancour—spirits know not fear!