Classic Poem

In Parliament, whene'er a question comes
Which makes the Chief look grave and bite his thumbs,
A knowing one is sent, sly as a mouse,
To peep into the humour of the House.
I am that mouse, peeping at friends and foes,
To find which carry it, the Ayes or Noes.
With more than power of Parliament you sit,
Despotic representatives of wit,
For in a moment and without much pother,
You can dissolve this piece and call another.
As 'tis no treason, let us frankly see
In what they differ and in what agree,
The said supreme assembly of the nation,
With this our great dramatic convocation.
Business in both oft meets with interruption;
In both, we trust, no bribery or corruption;
Both, proud of freedom, have a turn to riot,
And the best Speaker cannot keep you quiet.
Nay, there as here, he knows not how to steer him,
When, “Order, order!” 's drowned in “Hear him, hear him!”
We have, unlike to them, one constant rule:
We open doors and choose our galleries full.
For a full house both send abroad their summons;
With us together sit the Lords and Commons.
You ladies here have votes, debate, dispute.
There if you go (oh, fie for shame!) you're mute.
Never was heard of such a persecution;
'Tis the great blemish of the constitution.
No human laws should nature's rights abridge,
Freedom of speech our dearest privilege.
Ours is the wiser sex, though deemed the weaker.
I'll put the question if you choose me Speaker.
Suppose me now bewigged and seated here.
I call to order; you: “The chair, the chair!”
Is it your pleasure that this bill should pass,
Which grants this poet, upon Mount Parnass,
A certain spot where never grew or corn or grass?

You that would pass this play, say “Ave” and save it;
You that say “No” would damn it. The Ayes have it.