They have whizzed off tragic actors in a hurricane of rage;
“On burlesque and one-act farces they could fell destruction bring,
But a pantomime, my brethren—it was quite another thing.
“Ay, at harlequin they trembled—it was we and only we
That from bonds of superstition could the British public free;
“We have rent apart the fetters, that were forged by ancient time,
Yes, my friends, upon a boxing night, we damned a pantomime.
“We stuck firmly to our purpose, when the clown said ‘Here we are!’
We with laughter did not greet him, but we rais’d the shout of war.
“When the manager came forward, and some mercy bade us show,