THE HOUSE OF PEERS.

By William Schwenck Gilbert

When Britain really ruled the waves —

( In good Queen Bess's time )

The House of Peers made no pretence

To intellectual eminence,

Or scholarship sublime;

Yet Britain won her proudest bays

In good Queen Bess's glorious days!

When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte,

As every child can tell,

The House of Peers, throughout the war,

Did nothing in particular,

And did it very well;

Yet Britain set the world a-blaze

In good King George's glorious days!

And while the House of Peers withholds

Its legislative hand.

And noble statesmen do not itch

To interfere with matters which

They do not understand,

As bright will shine Great Britain's rays,

As in King George's glorious days!