The Candidates

They promised us All manner of pleasant solace As this manifesto witnesses; And to show our reliance We implored them to denounce Older forms of dishonesty With charity appreciable by view They and each of them And all their ilk Swore to buy our support In gross and in detail And so on and so forth Mutatis mutandis Per omnia saecula saeculorum! But we were lowly natives And matched with local casuistry And various verbal falsehoods What code of necromancy Would misfortunes foretell! Nefarious candidates The time has come: Purge your consciences!