As I lay asleep in Italy There came a voice from over the Sea, <br />And with great power it forth led me To walk in the visions of Poesy. <br />I met Murder on the way - He had a mask like Castlereagh - <br />Very smooth he looked, yet grim; Seven blood-hounds followed him: <br />All were fat; and well they might Be in admirable plight, <br />For one by one, and two by two, He tossed the human hearts to chew <br />Which from his wide cloak he drew. <br />Next came Fraud, and he had on, Like Eldon, an ermined gown; <br />His big tears, for he wept well, Turned to mill-stones as they fell. <br /><br />And the little children, who Round his feet played to and fro, <br />Thinking every tear a gem, Had their brains knocked out by them. <br /><br />Clothed with the Bible, as with light, And the shadows of the night, <br />Like Sidmouth, next, Hypocrisy On a crocodile rode by. <br />And many more Destructions played In this ghastly masquerade, <br />All disguised, even to the eyes, Like Bishops, lawyers, peers, or spies. <br />Last came Anarchy: he rode On a white horse, splashed with blood; <br />He was pale even to the lips, Like Death in the Apocalypse. <br /><br />And he wore a kingly crown; And in his grasp a sceptre shone; <br />On his brow this mark I saw - 'I AM GOD, AND KING, AND LAW!' <br /><br />With a pace stately and fast, Over English land he passed, <br />Trampling to a mire of blood The adoring multitude. <br />And a mighty troop around, With their trampling shook the ground, <br />Waving each a bloody sword, For the service of their Lord. <br />And with glorious triumph, they Rode through England proud and gay, <br />Drunk as with intoxication Of the wine of desolation. <br /><br />O'er fields and towns, from sea to sea, Passed the Pageant swift and free, <br />Tearing up, and trampling down; Till they came to London town. <br />And each dweller, panic-stricken, Felt his heart with terror sicken <br />Hearing the tempestuous cry Of the triumph of Anarchy. <br />For with pomp to meet him came, Clothed in arms like blood and flame, <br />The hired murderers, who did sing 'Thou art God, and Law, and King.
