Page:Poems Freston.djvu/89

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To have that land wiped off the map
That knew so well to torture,
The land of trickery and pride,
 That always has been mine,
Where helpless babes and women,
Were driven to the slaughter;
Where they always practiced pleasantries,
 Directly in my line.

So, you see, I'm reading Spanish,
So that when the Dons assemble
Round my peaceful little fireside,
 My tones will be less gruff;
I've been reading German lately
And their grunts and groans and gutterals
Tax the vocal cords so greatly
 That I fear my voice is rough.

But learn Spanish friend, learn Spanish!
'Tis the language of the future,—
Here at least, although some people say
 'Twill soon die out above,
Ah!" he groaned in mental anguish,
"To lose so fair a country,
That bred the Inquisition,
 In the name of God and Love.