English poem
The Tiger's Petition
by Clifton Bingham (1859–1913)
The King sat on his Throne one day, His Crown upon his brow; To him, in most obsequious way, The Tiger made his bow.
His long petition he unrolled, With names all written down; The courtiers stared—their blood ran cold— King Leo gave a frown.
"What have we here?" demanded he, "And what does he require?" The Elephant said, "Here I see A traitor, royal sire!"
The Brown Bear murmured, "So do I— He's right, without a doubt!" The monarch cried, with flashing eye, "Turn this intruder out!"
At midnight, in an empty hut, Deep in the forest old, The Rebels met with doors close shut, Their dark schemes to unfold.
"Friends!" Tiger cried, "no more we'll brook This despot's cruel reign; Our charter lies before us—look! The plan of our campaign!"