Alliance! And with whom? For what

Alliance! And with whom? For what? Comes there the skin-clad Vandal down From Danube’s wilds with vengeance hot? Comes Turk with torch to sack the town And wake the world with battle shot? Come wild beasts loosened from the lair? No, no! Right fair blue Danube sweeps. No, no! The Turk, the wild beast sleeps. No, no! There’s something more than this— Or Judas’ kiss? Or serpent’s hiss? There’s mischief in the air!

Alliance! And with whom? For what? Did we not bear an hundred years Of England’s hate, hot battle shot, Blent, ever blent, with scorn and jeers? And we survived it, did we not? We bore her hate, let’s try to bear Her love; but watch her and beware! Beware the Greek with gifts and fair Kind promises and courtly praise. Beware the serpent’s subtle ways— There’s mischief in the air!

Alliance! And for what? With whom? She burned our Freedom’s Fane. She spat Vile venom on the sacred tomb Of Washington; the while she sat High throned, fat fed, and safe at home, And bade slaves hound and burn and slay, Just as in Africa to-day; Just as she would, will when she dare Send sword and torch and once again Make red the white rim of our main— There’s mischief in the air!

Alliance! Twice with sword and flame: Alliance! Thrice with craft and fraud: And now you come in Freedom’s name. In Freedom’s name? The name of God! Go to—the Boers. For shame, for shame! With wedge of gold you split us twain Then launched your bloodhounds on the main; But now, my Lords, so soft, so fair— How long would this a-lie-ance last? Just long enough to tie Us fast— Then music in the air!