LORD ROEHAMPTON

by: Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953)

uring a late election Lord

Roehampton strained a vocal chord

From shouting, very loud and high,

To lots and lots of people why

The Budget in his own opin-

-Ion should not be allowed to win.




He sought a Specialist, who said:

"You have a swelling in the head:

Your Larynx is a thought relaxed

And you are greatly over-taxed."




"I am indeed! On every side!"

The Earl (for such he was) replied

In hoarse excitement.... "Oh! My Lord,

You jeopardize your vocal chord!"

Broke in the worthy Specialist.

"Come! Here's the treatment! I insist!

To Bed! to Bed! And do not speak

A single word till Wednesday week,

When I will come and set you free

(If you are cured) and take my fee."




On Wednesday week the Doctor hires

A Brand-new Car with Brand-new Tyres

And Brand-new Chauffeur all complete

For visiting South Audley Street.




But what is this? No Union Jack

Floats on the Stables at the back!

No Toffs escorting Ladies fair

Perambulate the Gay Parterre.

A 'Scutcheon hanging lozenge-wise

And draped in crape appals his eyes

Upon the mansion's ample door,

To which he wades through heaps of Straw,

And which a Butler drowned in tears,

On opening but confirms his fears:

"Oh! Sir!—Prepare to hear the worst!...

Last night my kind old master burst.

And what is more, I doubt if he

Has left enough to pay your fee.

The Budget——"




With a dreadful oath,

The Specialist, denouncing both

The Budget and the House of Lords,

Buzzed angrily Bayswaterwards.




And ever since, as I am told,


Gets it beforehand; and in gold.

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