7
But yet he scarcely could believe
That they, with vain pretence,
Would shut their eyes against the light
And rules of common sense.
Sir Charles Wetherell (half enraged)
Contemned the Bill proposed,
Averring 'twould be robbery,
If Boroughbridge were closed.
He, in hot zeal, to vilify
The Bill in various ways,
Its movers ranked with regicides
In the first Charles's days.
Thus, Yea and Nay were tossed about
With oratorial flights,
Which kept the House in ferment high
Seven memorable nights.
At length the great division came,—
Out voted by but one,
The sullen Boroughmongers fear
Their griping sway undone.
Fame sped the tale with rapid flight,
Which every where was cheered,—
While brightening joy, in every face,
Through Britain's isle appeared.
But Scotia blushed, when Fame declared
How, when the cause was tried,
Thirteen of her choice forty-five—
No more—took Freedom's side!
This tells how requisite Reform,
Corruption to enchain,
"Whose fall may be like Lucifer's,
Never to rise again."
