1798
In the palace mustered
the generals and noblemen
to discuss the Irish problem
For no glimmer wish of freedom
can be allowed to threaten
the Mercy of the Crown
We'll play the game of Earls and tithes
to divide and conquer on the isle,
send our soldiers to lance the boil,
of sedition, festering on Irish soil
One bellowed above his pipe
the weak are e'er malignant
they must be made to bow
their lands left ripe and we've been just
they've abused our kindness for too long
His fellows belched agreement
thus the pacts were signed
for the gentlemen at this table
know tyranny must be veiled
with the nobility and deftness
that has blessed the English race
It shall be these Irish are called to heel
Over breakfast their paltry fates be sealed
Nick Badot is an Irish/Belgian writer of fiction and poetry and a reformed computer scientist, currently based in Montenegro. He is passionate about speculative literature, history, mythology, romanticism and weird fiction of all flavours.