[Editor: A poem (possibly by “Dryblower” Murphy) published in the “Variety Vamps and Sunday Satires” column in The West Australian Sunday Times, 28 April 1901.]
[The Imbecile Romps where the Angels are Frighted]
Extract from an election screech by Mr. J. C. Brickhill:— “The candidate read testimonials as to his ability from Messrs. Barton and Reid, written when he was leaving for this State. The candidate also said that, if returned, he felt he would hold his own with any man elected to Parliament, and when any of the electors walking down the street with their friends saw him on the other side, they would be able to look across with pride, and say to them, ‘That is Brickhill, our representative.’” Alas!
The imbecile romps where the angels are frighted,
Some poet observed.
So Candidate Brickhill disported and skited
By impudence nerved.
But on Wednesday he got, though his prospects it blighted,
A kick well deserved.
A crushing defeat is a bit of a sting,
Especially for B.
He was sure, as they gave him his flatulent fling,
Elected he’d be.
And NOW down on “Brickey” the curtain we’ll ring.
R.I.P.
Source:
The West Australian Sunday Times (Perth, WA), 28 April 1901, p. 1
Editor’s notes:
This is essentially the same poem as the one which was published in The Sun (Kalgoorlie, WA; 28 April 1901, p. 4), except that the names of the candidates have been changed, as well as the 7th and 8th lines of the poem.
Barton = Edmund Barton (1849-1920), who was the first Prime Minister of Australia (1901-1903)
frighted = to experience fright; to experience a sudden intense or extreme fear, to be frightened
Reid = Sir George Reid, New South Wales parliamentarian 1880-1901, federal parliamentarian 1901-1909, and the fourth Prime Minister of Australia (1904-1905); he was referred to as “Yes-No Reid” as he had been a supporter of the movement pushing for the federation of the Australian colonies, but when it came to the first referendum for federation he took an equivocal stance, neither supporting or opposing the vote, although he later campaigned for a “Yes” vote at the second referendum for federation
R.I.P. = an abbreviation of the Latin phrase “requiescat in pace” (or, in the plural, “requiescant in pace”), meaning “rest in peace”; used in funeral notices, on gravestones, and with other items relating to death
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