And their sinful flesh is gone!
While life is strong in the German sky,
What matters it who besides may die?
No sigh so sweet as the cannon’s breath,
No music like to the gun!
There’s a merry Christmas to war and death,
And a happy New Year to none.
Thus saith the king to the echoing ball:
“With the blessing of God we will slay them all!”
Sir R. Vyvyan and Sir C. Lemon were standing for East Cornwall in the Conservative and Church interest. The opposition party was that of the Dissenters; and their cry was “Down with the Church!” Thereupon Mr. Hawker wrote the lines:—