Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 4.djvu/601

Rh 17.

Wear, Fingal, thy trapping! O'Connell, proclaim

His accomplishments! His!!! and thy country convince

Half an age's contempt was an error of fame,

And that "Hal is the rascaliest, sweetest young prince!"

18.

Will thy yard of blue riband, poor Fingal, recall

The fetters from millions of Catholic limbs?

Or, has it not bound thee the fastest of all

The slaves, who now hail their betrayer with hymns?

19.

Aye! "Build him a dwelling!" let each give his mite!

Till, like Babel, the new royal dome hath arisen!

Let thy beggars and helots their pittance unite—

And a palace bestow for a poor-house and prison!

20.

Spread—spread for Vitellius, the royal repast,

Till the gluttonous despot be stuffed to the gorge!

And the roar of his drunkards proclaim him at last

The Fourth of the fools and oppressors called "George!"

21.

Let the tables be loaded with feasts till they groan!

Till they groan like thy people, through ages of woe!