They sent out Von Taünsend, Von Bürnie, Von Roe, Von Maine, and Von Rowantz—through châlets and châteaux, Towns, villages, hamlets, they told them to go, And they stuck up placards on the walls of the Stadthaus.
"Murder!!
"Whereas, a dead gentleman, surname unknown, Has been recently found at his Highness's banquet, Rather shabbily dressed in an Amice, or gown In appearance resembling a second-hand blanket;
"And Whereas, there's great reason indeed to suspect That some ill-disposed person, or persons, with malice Aforethought, have kill'd, and begun to dissect The said Gentleman, not very far from the palace;
"This is to give Notice!—Whoever shall seize, And such person, or persons, to justice surrender, Shall receive—such reward—as his Highness shall please, On conviction of him, the aforesaid offender.
"And, in order the matter more clearly to trace To the bottom, his Highness, the Prince Bishop, further, Of his clemency, offers free pardon and Grace To all such as have not been concern'd in the murther.
"Done this day, at our palace,—July twenty-five,— By Command, (Signed) Johann Von Rüssell, N.B.
Deceased rather in years—had a squint when alive; And smells slightly of gin—linen mark'd with a "G."
The Newspapers, too, made no little ado, Though a different version each managed to dish up; Some said "The Prince Bishop had run a man through," Others said "an assassin has kill'd the Prince Bishop."
The "Ghent Herald" fell foul of the "Bruxelles Gazette," The "Bruxelles Gazette," with much sneering ironical, Scorned to remain in the "Ghent Herald's" debt, And the "Amsterdam Times" quizz'd the "Nuremberg Chronicle."