Lockport Daily Journal, 4 January 1906
Written by an Irishman During the Rebellion of 1798.
What is spoken of as “one of the cleverest political poems ever composed” was written by Arthur Connor, (or O’Connor), the friend of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, and, like him, a prominent figure in the Irish rebellion of 1798. He was arrested at Margate that year when on his way to France on a secret mission. After being detained in Kilmainham jail for some time he was at length removed, with other political prisoners, to Fort George in Scotland. It was while on his way thither that he distributed copies of the following poem, which was regarded as a proof of his return to loyalty:
The pomp of courts and pride of kings
I prize above all earthly things.
I love my country, but the king,
Above all men his praise I sing.
The royal banners are displayed,
And may success the standard aid.I fain would banish far from hence
The “Rights of Man” and common sense.
Confusion to his odious reign,
That foe to princes, Thomas Paine!
Defeat and ruin seize the cause
Of France, its liberties and laws.
If the above lines be read continuously, they seem to express very loyal sentiments, but if you read the first line of the first verse and then the first line of the second verse you will find that they breathe the spirit of rampant rebellion:
The pomp of courts and pride of kings
I fain would banish far from hence.
I prize above all earthly things
The “Rights of Man” and common sense.
I love my country, but the king,
Confusion to his odious reign!Above all men his praise I sing;
That foe of princes, Thomas Paine!
The royal banners are displayed.
Defeat and ruin seize the cause!
And may success the standard aid
Of France, its liberties and laws.
Arthur O’Connor ultimately made his way to France, where, in 1807, he married the daughter of the Marquis de Condorcet. He entered the French army and rose to the rank of general. His death took place in April, 1852, when he was eighty-seven years of age.