ALLITERATIVISM (1914)

G.K. Chesterton


(THE LATEST SCHOOL)

(French airmen have been flying over Baden and
Bavaria, violating Belgian neutrality

--Stated on German authority in the Westminster Gazette)

SEE the flying French depart
Like the bees of Bonaparte,
Swarming up with a most venomous vitality.
Over Baden and Bavaria,
And Brighton and Bulgaria,
Thus violating Belgian neutrality.

And the injured Prussian may
Not unreasonably say
"Why, it cannot be so small a nationality
Since Brixton and Batavia,
Bolivia and Belgravia,
Are bursting with the Belgian neutrality."

By pure Alliteration
You may trace this curious nation,
And respect this somewhat scattered Principality;
When you see a B in Both
You may take your Bible oath
You are violating Belgian neutrality.





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Last modified: 17th June, 1999
Martin Ward, De Montfort University, Leicester.
Email: martin@gkc.org.uk