While The Billy BoilsSearchParliament’s a stage,And all the Politicians merely players!They have their exits and their entrances,And Wise doth in his time play many parts,His acts being seven changes.
First the Runner,With spiked shoe he spurns the cinder track,And just for once runs straight.
The next the Student,Burning the midnight oil with Adam SmithFor Cobden medals.
Next the youthful member,With shining morning face, creeping betweenTwo seasoned leaders into place and powerBefore his whiskers grow.
The next the bravo.Jealous of greater men, he cries,“Ha, Ha! Beware Bernardo’s dagger!”—and would strikeHis friend i’ th’ back.
Then comes a sudden change.Once more a child, he comes with quick-turned coat,New friends, new doctrines, and new principles,Lets Friedman loose, and wrecks the Government.Then leads the horny-handed sons of toilBy many a specious promise to their doomIn Arbitration Courts.
Last scene of all,That ends this strange, disastrous history.He aims at Judgeships and Commissionerships,But, failing, passes on to mere oblivion.Sans place, sans power, sans pay, sans everything.