Wanted, a politician
To fill a vacant place
In an administration
Which has sunk into disgrace.
He must not be ambitious
To cherish a good name,
But love humiliation,
And be partial to ill-fame!
Let him not think that England
For others' freedom cares,
Or that the cause of justice
Is part of her affairs;
That whether suffering peoples
Shall bear us love or hate,
Is matter to be pondered
By ministers of state!
To prayers of down-trod Christians
He must listen with a sneer,
But to the Moslem story
Lend sympathizing ear,
And bold that for these evils
'Tis vain to seek a cure,
For Turks must slay and outrage,
That England may endure!
He must not halt or murmur,
Tho' dreading what may come
Of Asiatic schemings,
Which sound like muffled drum;
But let the world imagine
That it is his greatest joy
To be the tool of Judah,
And the lacquey of Alroy!
He must without a scruple
Lead his countrymen to think
That the abyss is distant,
Though they are on the brink;
Must practise double-dealing
To serve his chief's caprice,
And when they're plotting mischief,
Pretend they are for peace!
And lastly, no misgivings
Must cause him to resign,
Or own a higher master
Whose dictates are divine!
On ministers with morals
No statesman can rely,
So people who are pious
Had better not apply!
Spectator. .