You bet the eye of HARCOURT glistens,

And GLADSTONE reading with a grin,

Says, "Now I have him on the hip!"

This will not do, if we're to win.

Of course, dear Lord, 'twas but a slip,

But then you do make such a lot;

Explaining them away gets wearying.

You seem as though—of course, 'tis rot!—

Our Free Trade system you were querying.

That cock won't fight; Protection's dead,