It was, I think, near Marble Arch,
Or somewhere in the Park,
A Socialist
Once shook his fist
And made this sage remark:
The likes of you and me—
Poor, underfed,
Without a bed—
In such a state should be.
"When bloated aristocracy
Grows daily wuss an' wuss.
Why don't the rich
Behave as sich
An' give a bit to us?
"They've carriages and flunkeys,
Estates, an' lots of land.
Why this should be,
My friends," said he,
"I fail to understand.
"Why should they 'ave the bloomin' lot,
When, as I've said before,
It's understood
This man's as good
As that one is—or MORE?
Is: Down with all the lot,
Unless they share—
It's only fair—
With us what they have got!"
* * *
An Earl, who stood amongst the crowd,
Was very much impressed.
"Dear me," he said,
And smote his head,
"I really am distressed.
"To think that all these many years
I've lived so much at ease,
With leisure, rank,
Cash at the bank,
And luxuries like these,
"While, as this honest person says,
Our class is all to blame
That these have naught:
We really ought
To bow our heads in shame.
My title I will drop,
And then I'll go
And live at Bow
And keep a chandler's shop."
* * *
The Socialist he took the wealth
The Earl put in his hands,
And bought erewhile
A house in style
And most extensive lands.
Was knighted (for some charity
Judiciously bestowed);
Within a year
Was made a Peer;
To fame was on the road.
But do not think that Fortune's smiles
From friends drew him apart,
Or hint that rude
Ingratitude
Could dwell within his heart.