Classic Poem

Monsieur Judas.

This Mister Judas is a wag,
Who solemnly will swear
That he can only play one part,
One color only wear.
We, who of fellows hate the sight,
Who're sometimes red, and sometimes white —
Hush, hush! I'll whisper in your ear;
I've just seen Judas hovering near.

This moral looker-on, who pries
And gossips far and wide,
Hints he's a journalist, at times,
And takes the Liberal side.
But should we at our purpose hint,
To claim the right all things to print —
Hush, hush! I'll whisper in your ear;
I've just seen Judas hovering near.

This brazen coward many a time
In uniform is dressed,
And, free from shame or scruple, sports
A cross upon his breast.
We who are wont with right good will
To laud our gallant soldiers still —
Hush, hush! I'll whisper in your ear;
I've just seen Judas hovering near.

His puckered mouth has even dared
A noble accent take;
Nor tells our country's woes, without
Some sighing for her sake.
But we who strive in what we write
All recreant Frenchmen to indict —
Hush, hush! I'll whisper in your ear;
I've just seen Judas hovering near.

To you this Mister Judas says
Aloud — he's not in jest —
" Here the Police has bloodhounds, friends;
Beware their fangs — 'twere best. "
But we who, even up to spies,
All sorts of rascals satirize —
Hush, hush! I'll whisper in your ear;
I've just seen Judas hovering near.