Classic Poem

Inscribed to a certain COLONEL CANDIDATE,

Or, Would-be Member of Congress.

" ARMA VIRUMQUE CANO . "

I sing the idol of a party,
A factious demagogue, as hearty
As ever hung, or lost his head,
Since merry days of Johnny Cade.

Though Justice frown, and Discord smile,
I will be heard above a mile,
To laud the man, who cannot fail
To go to congress — or to jail!

I'll praise him, should I lose my ears,
And realize his party's fears;
Should he, and half his gang be hung,
His name shall rattle on my tongue. —

His passing merit will I shout
Through every village round about;
With fife, drum, ram's-horn, conch-shell, trumpet,
I'll blow, squeak, whistle, roar, and thump it,
Till all shall think the devil's to pay,
From Bennington to Canada!

What! though the federal junto sneer;
In courts of justice make it clear,
Thy character not over nice is —
That Cataline had fewer vices.

Though Hamilton late intimated
That thou to Knavery wert related;
Declar'd that once you forg'd some letters
To circulate among your betters,
In which you did your best endeavour,
Yourself to recommend to favour;
And, modestly , then sign'd the same
(A slight mistake) another's name! —

What though in court you had him tri'd,
To show how wickedly he lied;
But there 'twas prov'd, by not a few,
His every wicked word was true! —

What though obnoxious to society,
For frequent scandalous ebriety,
Thy face like copper-kettle glows,
And like brass-knocker is thy nose; —

What though thy talents for haranguing,
Would cost a school-boy many a banging,
With half an hour to hem and stammer
Thou ne'er spok'st three words sense nor grammar —

Since Ireland, with her modern Gracchi,
With each a bleeding nose and black eye —
Since Algiers, all her corsairs mustering,
Can find no fellow bold and blustering
So qualified to take a station
With patriots met for legislation,
In spite of Nature, spite of Fate,
Thou shalt be dubb'd " L YON THE Great ! "

Ye Vermont yeomen be contented,
Although by Lyon represented,
For if the creature was a monkey ,
I'd be his advocate so spunkey,
Because his promises are pleasant,
Wherewith he entertains the peasant.
He'll make us justices of peace,
Though simple as a flock of geese;
Transform each bumpkin, beetle-headed,
To sheriff, not a little dreaded;
Exactly as he would have done
For clever folks at Castleton,
Who had been squires, I'll bet a shilling,
If every body had been willing.