Marie Antoinette

 They told to Marie Antoinette:
 "The beggers at your gate
Have eyes too sad for tears to wet,
 And for your pity wait."
But Marie only laughed and said:
 "My heart they will not ache:
If people starve for want of bread
 Let them eat cake."

The Court re-echoed her bon mot;
 It rang around the land,
Till masses wakened from their woe
 With scyth and pick in hand.
It took a careless, callous phrase
 To rouse the folk forlorn:
A million roared the Marseillaise:
 Freedom was born.

And so to Marie Antoinette
 Let's pay a tribute due;
Humanity owes her a debt,
 (Ironical, it's true).
She sparked world revolution red,
 And as with glee they bore
Upon a pike her lovely head
 --Her curls dripped gore.

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