Poem by Hilaire Belloc

Hildebrand

Who was frightened by a Passing Motor, 
and was brought to Reason 

”Oh murder! What was that, Papa!”
”My child, It was a Motor-Car,
A most Ingenious Toy!
Designed to Captivate and Charm
Much rather than to rouse Alarm
In any English Boy.

”What would your Great Grandfather who
Was Aide-de-Camp to General Brue,
And lost a leg at Waterloo,
And Quatre-Bras and Ligny too!
And died at Trafalgar!-
What would he have remarked to hear
His Young Descendant shriek with fear,
Because he happened to be near
A Harmless Motor-Car!
But do not fret about it! Come!
We’ll off to Town
And purchase some!”

1. To the Balliol Men Still in Africa
2. Noël
3. To Dives
4. Ballade of Modest Confession
5. The Rebel

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