) addressed to the Congress by 'the well-known German
poet Gustave Schwetschke,' and 'distributed by Prince Bismarck's
request among the Plenipotentiaries,' is incorrect. The true
version, we are assured, is as follows:
"'Rideamus igitur,
Socii Congressus;
Post dolores bellicosos,
Post labores bumptiosos,
Fit mirandus messus.
"Ubi sunt qui apud nos
Causas litigare,
Moldo-Wallachae frementes,
Graeculi esurientes?
Heu! absquatulare.
"'Ubi sunt provinciae
Quas est laus pacasse?
Totae, totae, sunt partitae:
Has tulerunt Muscovitae,
Illas Count Andrassy.
"'Et quid est quod Angliae
Dedit hic Congressus?
Jus pro aliis pugnandi,
Mortuum vivificandi -
Splendidi successus!
"'Vult Joannes decipi
Et bamboosulatur.
Io Beacche! Quae majestas!
Ostreae reportans testas
Domum gloriatur!'"
"This version, which from internal evidence will be seen to be the
true one, may be roughly Englished thus:
"Let us have our hearty laugh,
Greatest of Congresses!
After days and weeks pugnacious,
After labours ostentatious,
See how big the mess is!
"'Where are those who at our bar
Their demands have stated:
Robbed Roumanians rampaging,
Greeklings with earth-hunger raging?
Where? Absquatulated!
"'Where the lands we've pacified,
With their rebel masses?
All are gone; yes, all up-gobbled:
These the Muscovite has nobbled,
Those are Count Andrassy's.
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