The Day of Pleasant Promises

The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Labor Party have both delivered their policy speeches. Both have made the usual glowing promises to the electors.

Brothers!

Blokes, coves, coots and sundry
    others—
Now comes the day.
And, for once, you are allowed to
    have some say in national affairs
    so vital unto you—
At least, you are allowed to think
    you do.

Now comes the time
When that great Minister, called
    Prime,
And all the rest—including him
Who sits in grim
And wordy opposition—are to pro-
    claim our worth.
We are the salt—the voters—of the
    earth
(At present while our votes are still
    uncast!)

Why should we seek to blast
A pleasant dream that all too soon
    is sped.
And prematurely knock it on the
    head?
For, lo, behold, they make the wel-
kin ring
With gaudy promises—they'll pro-
    mise anything!
What do you want, electors? Voice
    your need!
Be not, withal, too moderate; in-
    deed,
Speak up, shriek, yell, vociferate,
    and shout!
What is your fondest wish? Howl,
    beef it out!
Something for nothing—that's their
    object, friends—
And ours; poor, silly fish!
They deck the line with any bait
    we wish,
Then dangle it before us for their
    ends.
And we, while vowing that the game
    is "crook",
Swallow it gladly, sinker, line and
    hook!