[Mr. AUBERON HERBERT and other amiable enthusiasts held a
"Breakfast" at St. James's Hall, over which Sir NATHANIEL
STAPLES presided, to advocate the principle of Voluntary
Taxation.]
Oh, AUBERON, in fairy land
You must (like _Oberon_) be dwelling!
Your notion's lovely, winning, grand,
The fiscal cat most bravely belling;
Guileless NATHANIEL, too, affects
World-hardened hearts--almost to weeping,
Volunteer taxes who expects
To draw from Mammon's harpy keeping.
Go, lure the tomtit from the twig,
Go, coax the tiger from his quarry,
The toper from his thirsty swig,
The swindler from his schemings sorry:
"Persuade" the Sweater to be just,
The 'cute Monopolist to be kindly;
Tempt hunger to resign his crust,
The niggard churl to lavish blindly:
Make--by soft words--the ruthless wrecker
Subscribe for life-boats, ropes and rockets;
_Then_ plump the National Exchequer
By willing doles from well-filled pockets!
* * * * *