I planned the Commission; I packed it with men opposed to the payment of rent; No landlord had ever evicted again if they only had done what I meant: It "adjourned," as I know, in a fortnight or so, and it did not do much while it sat, But I was not to blame if we failed in our aim-- for I could not anticipate that. 'Tis a shame, I agree, that I cannot set free all persons who kill the police; That patriots leal who in dynamite deal I can only in sections release: But I think you must see that a statesman like me has a character moral at stake, And must simulate doubt as to letting them out, for my Saxon constituents' sake. For their sentiments move in the narrowest groove-- be thankful you are not like them! Mere murder's an act which they seldom approve, and are even inclined to condemn: When the patriot blows up his friends or his foes, those prejudiced Saxons among, It is reckoned a flaw in his notion of law, and he is not unfrequently hung. Then explain to your friends that their means and their ends I wholly and fully approve, Though at times what I feel I am forced to conceal, and to partly dissemble my love, And the Saxon, I hope, may develop the scope of his narrow and obsolete view-- He will alter in time his conception of crime, on a longer acquaintance with You. HONESTY REWARDED (1892). I have always regarded with wonder and awe The conception of Justice embodied in Law: For it dealt in a highly remarkable way With Cornelius Molloy and with Peter O'Shea. Now, Peter O'Shea was by nature a serf, And he paid (when he could) for his land and his turf: But Cornelius, his friend, was a broth of a boy-- The Sassenach's scourge was Cornelius Molloy. Cornelius adopted the Plan of Campaign, And he tried to tempt Peter, but tempted in vain. "'Twas the masther, not thim, I conthracted to pay: 'Tis a quare kind of business," said Peter O'Shea. But the Plan of Campaign, as its authors confess, Was not, on the whole, a decided success: And the blackguardly minion whom tyrants employ Evicted at last great Cornelius Molloy. The Saxon oppressor, still potent for harm, Gave Peter a lease of Cornelius' farm: Which Peter accepted with virtuous joy-- For he lived quite adjacent to Mr Molloy. Cornelius was angry (and faith he'd a right), So he came with a party to Peter's by night, And they shot through the door, with intention to slay That traitor and land-grabber, Peter O'Shea. Poor Peter was pained, but he scorned to show fear: "Sure the law will protect me so long as I'm here: 'Tis an iligant holding and little to pay; Och! 'twas only wid shnipe-shot!" said Pether O'Shea. But the Liberal Party observed with dismay The outrageous proceedings of Peter O'Shea; And Mr O'Kelly, our pride and our joy, Made a law for restoring Cornelius Molloy.