It happened then our worthy knights Were met in Parliament, And unto them a copy neat Of the despatch he sent. And then they blustered and they fumed And acted as if mad, And said though things were bad before, They now were twice as bad. And then they asked that from their ranks Six Councillors he’d choose-- Six men of wisdom, whose advice In all behests he’d use. To humour them he did his best, And quickly tried the plan, sir: But quite as quickly he found out That it would never answer. He said, “One law shall be my guide, From which I’ll never swerve-- The Constitution I’ll uphold With all my might and nerve.” So shortly to the right-about He sent them in a hurry, Which caused among their loving friends A most outrageous flurry. The House was filled with witty chaps, Who of a joke were fond; They thought it would be mighty fine To ask him for a “Bond.” And then were speeches long and thick, With nonsense and with rant, And “_Rights of Council_” soon became Reformers’ fav’rite cant. And then one Peter Perry rose, And in a flaming speech He vowed that he Sir Francis Head The use of laws would teach. He said he had a plan which should The country’s temper try, And then he moved him that the House Would stop the year’s supply. A mighty struggle then arose, Of who’d be first to vote; For they their lessons well had read And knew them all by rote. Now up the Speaker of the House With hasty step arose, A letter from a friend below He on the table throws. The letter, read, was found to be With treason full well pack’d; It begg’d that rebels from below Might by that House be back’d. To print it, it was found too late-- Alas! they were not able, For, dire mischance, some wicked wight _Had stole it from the table_. Sir Francis took them at their word-- He was as quick as they-- And with a speech that made them wince He sent them all away. Addresses now from far and near To him came pouring in, That he would give the people chance Of choosing better men. And now each Briton’s bosom beat chance Right joyous at the thought, That they at length had gained the Which they so long had sought. Our tried and trusty Governor, Of rebel well aware, Defied their malice, and them told “To come on if they dare.” Now all around our happy land Was heard a joyous shout-- Of forty-seven, rebels all, Full thirty were left out. Ex-Speaker Bidwell in the dumps Vow’d politics he’d quit; For well he know in _that there_ House He never more could sit.