Short Ballad and Postscript on Consols
The poem is a satirical commentary on the British government's sale of Consols, a type of bond. It uses humor and irony to critique the system. The poem describes the process of buying Consols, highlighting the absurdity and complexity of the transaction. The speaker notes that one must first purchase a "ticket" from a broker, which is then used to buy a "Consol ticket". This ticket is then traded for a "Consol", which can be sold back to the government. The poem also touches on the idea that Consols are essentially worthless, as they can only be redeemed at face value. The speaker notes that this makes them a poor investment, but one that many people still choose to make due to their perceived safety and security. The postscript is a commentary on the nature of Consols and the government's sale of them. It suggests that the sale of Consols is a way for the government to raise money without actually increasing taxes. The speaker notes that this is a clever trick, but one that ultimately benefits only the wealthy at the expense of the poor. The poem and postscript together offer a scathing critique of the British government's economic policies and the ways in which they favor the wealthy over the poor.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Political Commentary · 414 words
First lines
I. Gigantic daughter of the West (The phrase is Tennysonian), who From this unconquerable breast The vigorous milk of Freedom drew -- We gave it freely -- shall the crest Of Empire in your keeping true, Shall England -- I forget the rest, But Consols are at 82.
II. Now why should any one invest, As even City people do (His Lordship did among the rest), When stocks -- but what is that to you?
What this Textopian page supports
Short Ballad and Postscript on Consols is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Political Commentary, Historical, Social Critique
- Length: 414 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with stanzas and a consistent rhyme scheme, characteristic of poetry.
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony to critique financial practices and societal attitudes, typical of satirical writing.
- Political Commentary — The content reflects on economic and political issues, particularly related to investments and national affairs.
- Historical — References to historical figures and events, such as Botha and Myberg, provide a historical context to the narrative.
Tags
Poetry · Ballad · Financial · Satire · Economic · Investment · Consols · British · History · Politics · Social Commentary · Literary Satire