Verses on our Excellent Constitution William Hone Kyle Grimes

Publication information

The source for this edition is the British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 2. Printed sheet with "The Contrast" at the top. This is a copy of Hone's first published work--a poem called "Verses on our Excellent Constitution." As originally printed, the document--a single sheet--has two contrasting poetic excerpts with prose commentaries. These are intended to demonstrate the evils of the French Revolution. Centered at the bottom of the sheet is this original poem, which, as the note at the bottom claims, was written by Hone when he was just twelve years old. The young Hone (or perhaps his proud parents) sent a copy of the work to the headquarters of the Reeves' Association; in return, the secretary of this conservative group wrote back commending Hone for his "spirit of loyalty." For a more detailed account of The Contrast see the biographical fragment called "A London Childhood."
Verses on our Excellent Constitution (1792) I. Come Britons unite, and in one common cause, Stand up in defence of King, Liberty, Laws; And rejoice that we've got such a good Constitution, And down with the barbarous French Revolution. II. There's Marat, Egalite, and the famous Tom Paine, Had best stay where they are, and not come here to reign: Be staunch for your King and your good Constitution, And down with their barbarous French Revolution. III. The French call us now a province of France, But we'll soon let 'em know we can learn 'em to dance. Come, rejoice that we've got such a good Constitution, And down with the barbarous French Revolution. IV. Tom Paine he would fain set us wrangling together, That his friends o'er the water may seize us at pleasure; Don't let him teaze us, nor our good Constitution, But down with the barbarous French Revolution. V. We're taxed, he says, by our merciful King, But that's to ourselves, and nothing to him. May he gloriously reign, and our good Constitution, And down with the barbarous French Revolution. VI. Our soldiers are honest, brave, loyal, and true, For the blood of their King their own they would rue: They'd stand firm in the cause of our good Constitution, And down with the barbarous French Revolution.

[The Author of the above is a Youth only Twelve Years of Age.]