O party, pledged in years agone to change our sad condition,
How have you left your task undone and quite resigned your Mission!
How changed the time since tongue and pen our feuds combined to smother,
And Harcourt walked with Healy then as brother walks with brother!

We from Coercion's darkest gloom saw Erin's star re-risen,
You hob-and-nobbed with patriots, whom yourselves had sent to prison:
It was our schemes of mutual good such close allies that made us:
You spoke as we decreed you should, we voted as you bade us:

'Twas we, when fain you were to fare on Office' loaves and fishes,
'Twas we alone who put you there despite your country's wishes:
While you, when some our acts would blame, proved nought
could be absurder
Than rent to call a legal claim, or landlord-shooting murder.

Yet why recount our ancient loves which now you turn your backs on?
The maxim old it only proves—you ne'er should trust a Saxon:
Deceitful still, his promised plan he docks, interprets, hedges,
And when he thinks he safely can, he turns and breaks his pledges!

True Celts despise the paltry baits wherewith you try to feed 'em:
What! offer your diminished rates to men who pine for Freedom!
On County Councils ne'er can thrive a People's aspirations,
No local Government can give a place among the Nations!

Begone! to swell the Jingo train and ape the tricks of Tories:
Let Rosebery share with Chamberlain his cheap Imperial glories:
Let Primrose Leaguers' base applause to Duty's promptings blind you—
Desert an outraged nation's cause, and take this curse behind you;—

Expect your doom, ye Liberals! though now you scorn and flout us,
Full soon within St Stephen's walls you'll fare but ill without us;
No more to us for succour come, for when you most would have it,
It will not be forthcoming from yours truly, MICHAEL DAVITT!