When grasping Tyrants--greedy elves-- Make laws which but enrich themselves; Who shall their power and force withstand, And stay the ’curst oppressor’s hand? THE LEAGUE!--the people’s chosen band, Shall stay the ’curst oppressor’s hand. Tho’ meddling Dukes of vast renown Would cast a noble people down; (The silly tribe affect affright, Tho’ proxies[60] fill their pockets quite.) THE LEAGUE shall lead (as soon ’twill be) A people firm--a people free! What boots it, that we laurels gain On crimson’d field, or on the main, If selfish senators befool us, If the domestic spoilers rule us? THE LEAGUE on such has kept its eye, And _Registration_ is the cry. When a “bold peasantry” decays; When want creeps in a thousand ways; When tenant farmers struggling hard Thro’ toilsome years get--_no reward_. THE LEAGUE will rescue--come what may; Nor care they for the landlord’s bray. When drooping trade declines its head; When starving thousands cry for bread; When sorrowing age seeks death’s kind gate, And children wail their hapless fate. THE LEAGUE _must_ to the throne appeal, While millions cry “Repeal--Repeal.” Names which were once the nation’s blight, Fair York and Lancaster[61]--unite; Old feuds forgotten--now their pride Is to march _onward_ side by side. THE LEAGUE--their boast--their hope--their joy; Pure sterling ore without alloy. When clouds hung o’er the drama’s name, What gave to Covent Garden Fame? When Stage, Pit, Gallery, Boxes, all Echoed each voice at Freedom’s call; THE LEAGUE supplied each honour’d name That gave to Covent Garden[62] fame. “Give us our daily bread” pray we; “Stop, stop,” cries vile _monopoly_, “Before _you_ wants are well supplied, For all _my sons_ you _shall provide_.” THE LEAGUE--the monster doth expose, And burns a torch beneath its nose. ALBION--thy wrongs shall disappear; SCOTIA--hold on--be of good cheer; ERIN--thy griefs removed shall be, Justice, tho’ late, shall visit thee. THE LEAGUE doth its assistance lend; Of none the foe--of all the friend. ’Ere long, fair knowledge will unfold Her ample page--brighter than gold; Ere long, the Laws which tyrants used Shall yield to those which Heaven diffused. THE LEAGUE shall then its work have done, And all rejoice o’er victories won. Ye powers divine--who care for all That breathe on this terraqueous ball, FREE TRADE and every blessing give! “O teach the nations _how_ to live!” Still shall EACH LEAGUER’S motto be, “Justice, Love, Peace, Humanity.”