FIRST REPRESENTATIVE: But we must ever wear engaging smile While poisoned chalice off'ring to their lips; Hence we should caution woo, lest she doth warn Him who the offered cup would fool-like taste. _Count Luie: Enter: with fanfare: bowing right and left._ FIRST TWIN: But honor ever should be kept in view-- No spot should tarnish her encircling robe. COUNT LUIE (_grandiloquently_): But what is honor? 'tis a slip'ry word Which oft is used vile turpitude to hide; She smiles on those who Mount Parnassus climb; On those who fail, she casts disdainful frown. O, fickle world, which kneels before success No matter how its Idol was enthroned! Hence, one to pow'r attain should scruple not, For it were balm which cureth ev'ry ill. _Great Sensation_ SECOND TWIN: Here speaks a friend of those who do aspire To build a nation from these many isles; His mind doth soar above all selfish thoughts; _Doubtfully_ But Windbag, at the club, with honeyed tongue Did seem to love the Filipinos well, But when a high official his support Did need, rumor doth says, a scowling face He turned upon him, and he e'en did threat That prosecution might be his stern fate; And had not Francos wisely intervened This noble _Ilustrado_ might e'en now Be close entombed in Bilibid! FIRST TWIN: But here Americanos showed their hand And were disloyal to their bureau chief: But had escribiente's of our race Unseated been, then all indeed were well. COUNT LUIE: But, friends, this Windbag is no Democrat-- In school Republican, he hath been trained. That spark divine of loyalty to friends He knoweth not, else he had Francos-like O'erlooked with kindly eye the trifling graft Of scheming for the welfare of his friends. That perquisites of office do allow Much freedom is a Democratic creed. SECOND ILUSTRADO: But Windbag said they know just what they want And strongly urged that our desires be met.