Now, what is the cause?
You say I'm not "dignified." Well, friends--are you?
My language, my manners, are rough, it is true;
My tones, and my jokes, (since you say it,) are coarse;
But very few streams rise above their own source.
If we're all "politicians," and they are such trash
As you have declared them, why were you so rash
As to give us your votes? What! will nobody "run"
But a "mere politician?" Why, then we're undone!
Come, come--this is nonsense! Be fair, my good sirs!
Let us look at this question. Suppose it occurs
That a long, prosy speech is about to be made;
If you say, "Stay and hear it," must you be obeyed?
But ours is a "serious business." True!
And so are some other things serious, too!
Such as courtships, and dinners, and headaches, and blues,
And sight-seeing friends, whom 'tis death[1] to refuse!
Now, many of us (though it should not be said!)
Are really stupid, and haven't much head.
We don't take that view of our duty that _you_ do;
We're often so bothered we don't know what _to_ do!
Our votes look decided--as though we did know;
But that's because BUTLER or SCHENCK voted so.
Such points may come up, in the course of the day,
As would puzzle the Seraphim some, I should say!
Besides, gentle friends! did you ever think so?
Perhaps we are paying you all that we owe.
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