Ye good men of the Commons, with sturdy souls and true,
Who stood by brave Gladstonius, as he had stood by you,
Come make a circle round me, and mark my tale with care,
A tale of what the Plebs have dared, and yet again may dare.
* * * * *
Of all the Upper Ten whose brows the Strawberry Leaves have prest,
Cecilius af the acrid tongue was proudest, haughtiest,
He stalked about the Senate like King Tarquin in his pride,
And most of the Patrician host were marshalled on his side.
And the Plebs eyed askance with doubt, which well he hoped was fear,