Lines Written During the Castlereagh Administration

Corpses are cold in the tomb; Stones on the pavement are dumb; Abortions are dead in the womb, And their mothers look pale--like the death-white shore Of Albion, free no more.

Her sons are as stones in the way-- They are masses of senseless clay-- They are trodden, and move not away,-- The abortion with which SHE travaileth Is Liberty, smitten to death.

Then trample and dance, thou Oppressor! For thy victim is no redresser; Thou art sole lord and possessor Of her corpses, and clods, and abortions--they pave Thy path to the grave.

Hearest thou the festival din Of Death, and Destruction, and Sin, And Wealth crying "Havoc!" within? 'Tis the bacchanal triumph that makes Truth dumb, Thine Epithalamium.

Ay, marry thy ghastly wife! Let Fear and Disquiet and Strife Spread thy couch in the chamber of Life! Marry Ruin, thou Tyrant! and Hell be thy guide To the bed of the bride!