PALINODE.
Reading edition
["In my old Radical days."—Mr. Chamberlain.]
Yes, I once was a smart little Rad Who talked about "lilies" and "ransom." Those views, which were shallow and mad, I retract, in a manner most handsome. Eh? "Skeletons," "Armchairs"? Oh no! I hold they are traitors or sillies, Who talk (like the juvenile Joe) About skeletons, ransom, and lilies! Ri fol de rol liddle lol dol! I might be indulging to-day In the rampant and rancorous Rad's tone, Swearing "lilies" full "ransom" must pay, If it hadn't a-been for that Gladstone! He serves as a warning to me, A sort of political helot; But, thanks to old W. G., I'm no longer a radical zealot! Ri fol de rol liddle lol dol!
