Le Temps Passé

Those brave old days when King Abuse did reign

We sigh for, but we shall not see again.

Then Eldon sowed the seed of equity

That grew to bounteous harvest, and with glee

A Bar of modest numbers shared the grain.

Then lived the pleaders who could issues feign,

Who blushed not to aver that France or Spain

Was in the Ward of Chepe; no more can be

Those brave old days.

O'er pauper settlements men fought amain,

And golden guineas followed in their train,

John Doe then flourished like a lusty tree,

And Richard Roe brought many a noble fee,

We mourn in unremunerated pain

Those brave old days.