One man of old Sarum, two members declare him;

Thus burghs, and constituents wane:

Some staple towns none, though Manchester alone,

Near two hundred thousands contain.

Besides rotten boroughs, the source of our sorrows,

These Cinque-Ports, and sinecures all;

With pensions and places our council disgraces,

Which courts of corruption some call.

With truth it is told, some freedoms are sold,

And seats traffick’d for at noon day;