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1814.14
The Congress at Christmas [1]
“Gambols”
The Morning Chronicle (December 24, 1814)
We learn from high sources a project is made,
How Vienna's Grand Congress the Christmas will
spend:
Since public affairs have so long been delayed,
They may very well wait till the Holidays end.
King and Queen's to be drawn on a Saxony cake,
To be gained in one slice—'twill be very much
followed;
Mile a good Twelfth-night Monarch the Ex-King will make;
In title a King, though his kingdom is
swallowed.
The Dane has long played the Game Royal of Goose,
His neighbour the Swede as sly Reynard
will labour;
And Prussia's great King, though much out of use,
Is still reckoned skilful at Beggar-my-Neighbour.
At Polish Drafts Russia his pacer will try;
People think he will win the game easy enough:
For England to meet him appears very shy,
And with the Pope Austria plays Blindman's-Buff.
France with Naples and Sicily Forfeits will play;
And while thus engaged no person can blame us,
If our Ministers here, against Christmas day,
Have rehearsed a long time to perform Ignoramus.