POETRY.
WANTED, A SECRETARY OF STATE.
WANTED, a politician
To fill a vacant place In an Administration Which has sunk into disgrace.
He must not be ambitious To cherish a good name, But love humiliation, And be partial to ill-fame Let him not think that England For. others' freedom cares, Or that the cause of justice Is part of her affairs ; That whether suffering peoples Shall bear us love or hate, Is matter to be pondered By Ministers of State To prayers of down-trod Christians He must listen with a sneer, But to the Moslem story Lend sympathising ear, And hold that for these evils 'Tis vain to seek a cure, For Turks must slay and outrage, That England may endure !
He must not halt or murmur, Tho' dreading what may come Of Asiatic schemings, Which sound like muffled drum ; But let the world imagine That it is his greatest joy To be the tool of Judah, And the lacquey of Ahoy!
He must without a scruple Lead his countrymen to think That the abyss is distant, Though they are on the brink ; Must practise double-dealing To serve his chief's caprice, And when they're plotting mischief, Pretend they are for peace !
And lastly, no misgivings Must cause him to resign, Or own a higher master Whose dictates are divine !
On Ministers with morals No statesman can rely, So people who are pious Had better not apply ! L. F. AusTui.
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