And as they sat in full conclave thus
Momentous matters did they discuss;
And presented reports of a wide-spread scope
To their Holy Father and Sovereign Pope.
And chief of points to attention claim
The perennial Irish Question came,
With its pros and cons, which no ending knew,
And the Tory Government’s biassed view.
And the Duke of Norfolk’s suggestions, too,
Of the course the Pope should henceforth pursue.