VII. And now, most of the boroughs Have sent their tale of men, The Tories clear the hundred, And claim the victory then. In London’s mighty city, A Liberal scarce dare speak; A proud man was Lord Salisbury As ended the first week. VIII. But ’mong the Liberal party Was anger and dismay, As some of their oldest strongholds Yielded to Tory sway. From all parts of the country The messages came in, Suggesting ideas, expressing fears, Hoping ’gainst hope, to win. XIV. Then out spake William Gladstone, A Grand Old Man was he, “To every one upon this earth, Must come obscurity; And how can man yield better, Than falling in a fight, Where the true, straightforward Liberal, Meets Tory and Parnellite? XV. “Keep up your pluck, good comrades, And hark to what I say; I, with two more to help me, Will hold the foe at bay. In Scotland’s beauteous capital I’ll rally all the clans; Now who will stand on either hand, And aid me in my plans?” XVI. Then out spake good Lord Hartington, A comrade tried was he, “Lo, I will stand at thy right hand, And fight this fight with thee.” And out spake William Forster, Of Irish fame was he, “I will abide by thy left side, Though weak and ill I be.” XVII. “Brave leaders,” quoth the Liberals, “As speak ye, so let it be.” And straight against the great array Forth went the valiant three. For Liberals, in this conflict Left not a chance untried, To crush the combined forces Which strangely were allied. XVIII. For none were for a Party, But all were for the State; And the great men helped the poor, And the poor men loved the great. The lands they’d fairly portion, In a way which they knew how, And every man they’d have possess, “Three acres and a cow.” XXX. To Derbyshire, Lord Hartington, Travelled to help a friend; While Forster’s serious illness Threatened his life to end. But when they saw friend Gladstone Commence renewed attack On a Tory Welchman’s stronghold They wished to hurry back. XXXIII. “O voters, county voters,” The old man’s heard to say, “A Liberal’s life and policy Do ye endorse to day.” So he spake, and, speaking, opened His umbrella with his right, And, with his left hand, seized his axe And plunged into the fight. XXXIV. But fiercely raged the conflict, Fed by each Party’s gain, And fast his strength was failing, And heavy grew the strain; His voice grew weak and weaker, As speeches multiplied, And oft they thought him done for, But he again revived. XXXVI.