Behold, As Goblins Dark of Mien

BEHOLD, as goblins dark of mienAnd portly tyrants dyed with crimeChange, in the transformation scene,At Christmas, in the pantomime,

Instanter, at the prompter's cough,5The fairy bonnets them, and theyThrow their abhorred carbuncles offAnd blossom like the flowers in May.

- So mankind, to angelic eyes,So, through the scenes of life below,10In life's ironical disguise,A travesty of man, ye go:

But fear not: ere the curtain fall,Death in the transformation sceneSteps forward from her pedestal,15Apparent, as the fairy Queen;

And coming, frees you in a triceFrom all your lendings - lust of fame,Ungainly virtue, ugly vice,Terror and tyranny and shame.20

So each, at last himself, for goodIn that dear country lays him down,At last beloved and understoodAnd pure in feature and renown.