Well taught was he to broil and scold, To slander and to lie, The good to libel--but the bad Around him close to tie. A precious clan this hero got To join him in the cause Of Freedom, which but truly meant Upturning of our laws. He travelled all the country round, With grievances his cry; Then off to father John, at home, Right quickly did he hie. And then he told so many lies That John began to stare; And eke he talked so very large That John began to swear. Then out Mackenzie pulled the roll Of those who did complain; And for redress of grievances He bawled with might and main. Now John a so-so clerk had got-- A Janus-looking elf, Who cared for nothing else of earth But sleeping and himself. Glenelg was snoring in his chair His custom every day-- Then up he got and rubbed his eyes To brush the sleep away. Said he, “Rebellion is our love, In it we do delight; So now you may go back again, We’ll soon set things to right; “For you and all the world must know, By it our place we keep.” But scarcely had he spoke these words When he was fast asleep. And when he’d slept ten months or so, He called him for a pen; But long before it ready was He’d sunk to sleep again. Now goodman Stephen in his ear In whispering accents said-- “Both pens and paper now, my Lord, Are on your table laid.” So quick he took the gray goose-quill, And wrote a neat despatch; Says he, “I think that that, at least, Their Tory wiles will match. “Just as my name, it may be read Whichever way you like, Or Whig or Tory, as may best The reader’s fancy strike. “So And me now Sir Francis Head,-- A learned knight is he,-- Successor to the brave Sir John I vow that man shall be.” Sir Francis came, but long declined The proffered post to take, Until convinced by Lord Glenelg ’Twas for Reform’s sake. “Now take this book,” his Lordship said, “And in it you may see The many wrongs that do oppress A people blest and free. “And take you also this despatch, And read it over well; But to the people you need not Its whole contents to tell.” Sir Francis bowed, and off he came In hurry to be here; And rabble shout and rabble praise Fell thick upon his ear. But full amazed was he to see The good Sir John depart; For blessings flowed from many a lip And sighs from many a heart. “Good lack!” quoth he, “but this is strange Which I do now behold, For that Sir John most hated was In England we were told!” And then he made a little speech, And said he’d let them know, What his instructions fully were He meant to them to show.