THIRD REPRESENTATIVE: And while we read that patriarchs of old Did revel in the arms of beauty fair, But now when we _queridas_ do embrace Like lions caged _Americanos_ roar: Our customs sacred made by hand of time Are most irrev'rent treated by these men. O, for the day when Spain did rule supreme, For they, the "haughty Dons," did sympathize With us in taste, and in our native sports Joined with a hearty zest which proved them men; But now, where'er we turn, obstacles rise To curb and mar, until our lives seem drear. SECOND GENTLEMAN OF THE STATE: Alas, our beardless youths seem satisfied With club in hand to pass at fleeting ball Or chase it, monkey-like, in open field Thus throwing dignity unto the winds. FIRST TWIN: And those who from the hand of Boreas filched Congealment's art, which did _dinero_ put Within their well filled purse, as day by day They fattened on the appetites of those Who loved a cooling draft more than the pelf Which is alas the seed that germinates To form a mighty tree which time enfruits With greed which sours the eager mouth it feeds. We did a statute draw with cunning hand To guard this enterprise of worthy aim, But now the enemy hath broke our guard And Ice a gold mine now no longer is; Hence we must hedge our various rights about With laws, as soon as Jones hath made his play. No Filipino hunts the hills for gold. _Americanos_ show this vulgar greed, And so we'll tax them: _tax them till they squeal_! Then they may in disgust depart this land, While we, just for a song, may gobble up The claims which they so long uncertain sought. SECOND TWIN: Francos is honest, hence were easy fooled; But we suspicion in his mind must plant. We are but few who hold the purse strings here, And union sweet: we to our aid must call Those who have tarried long within our walls. The saints, be praised, are weak and pow'rless now, For Francos stubbornly disdains them all, And hence our scheming he will ne'er discern. FIRST TWIN: Well said: the vultures which are nested here Have eyes that cat-like pierce the deepest shades, And were these men in high official place 'Twere vain attempt to work our deep laid plans. FIRST ILUSTRADO: We long have profit made from rentals high And quiet sat, while, like the cormorant We gulped sweet morsels from their quiv'ring flesh; But soon we must their very forms devour.