4
As we have seen in times gone by,
Some chosen to come here,
Who went abroad, and never would
At Duty's post appear.
Close-boroughs let us disfranchise,
Ere their Corruption's weight,
By dire accumulation sink,
The vessel of the State.
Sir Robert Inglis made reply,
A change may raise a storm,
Which might endanger King and State:
I'll vote against Reform.
Small Boroughs yet should rule the large,
As it has long been so;
For if they don't, the Throne will sink
Within ten years, I know.
Squire Twiss declares, in haughty tone,
Petitions I despise:
The Parliament should shut their ears
Against the People's cries.
They know not what is for them best-
For at the Nation's debt,
And taxes which have pressed them down,
They ignorantly fret.
Unquestionable wisdom rests
With us the members here:
Let none by shopmen chosen come,
Among us to appear.
Lord Althorp said, The Commons' House
Should Comnmons represent,
And not the borough-buying Lords,
With selfish wrong intent.
