No statesman e'er will find it worth his pains
To tax our labours and excise our brains.

No statesman e'er will find it worth his pains
To tax our labours and excise our brains.

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation?--Why quit
our own to stand upon foreign ground?--Why by interweaving read more

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation?--Why quit
our own to stand upon foreign ground?--Why by interweaving our
destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and
prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship,
interest, humour or caprice?

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with
any portion of the foreign world--so far, I read more

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with
any portion of the foreign world--so far, I mean, as we are now
at liberty to do it.

The cordial agreement which exists between the governments of
France and Great Britain.
[Fr., La cordiale entente qui read more

The cordial agreement which exists between the governments of
France and Great Britain.
[Fr., La cordiale entente qui existe entre le gouvernement
francais et celui de la Grande-Bretagne.]

I have the courage of my opinions, but I have not the temerity to
give a political blank cheque read more

I have the courage of my opinions, but I have not the temerity to
give a political blank cheque to Lord Salisbury.

Why don't you show us a statesman who can rise up to the
emergency, and cave in the emergency's read more

Why don't you show us a statesman who can rise up to the
emergency, and cave in the emergency's head.

An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the
commonwealth.
[Lat., Legatus est vir bonus read more

An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the
commonwealth.
[Lat., Legatus est vir bonus peregre missus ad mentiendem rei
publicae causae.]

And statesmen at her council met
Who knew the seasons when to take
Occasion by the hand, read more

And statesmen at her council met
Who knew the seasons when to take
Occasion by the hand, and make
The bounds of freedom wider yet.

And lives to clutch the golden keys,
To mould a mighty state's decrees,
And shape the whisper read more

And lives to clutch the golden keys,
To mould a mighty state's decrees,
And shape the whisper of the throne.