Oracles

LINES ON BEING INVITED TO MEET THE PREMIER IN WALES, SEPTEMBER ’92 I WILL not shake thy hand, old man, I will not shake thy hand ; You bear a traitor’s brand, old man, You bear a liar’s brand. Thy talents are profound and wide, Apparent power to win ; It is not everyone has lied A nation into sin. And look thou not so black, my friend, Nor seam that hoary brow ; Thy deeds are seamier, my friend, Thy record blacker now. Your age and sex forbid, old man, I need not tell you how, Or else I’d knock you down, old man, Like that extremist cow.* You’ve gained your every seat, my friend, By perjuring your soul ; You’ve climbed to Downing Street, my friend, A very greasy poll. * Mr Gladstone was attacked by a cow in Hawarden Park in 1891.—R. P. L. 6