The Two Niles

There are two Niles, the white and blue ;
Little it interests me and you
Whether this springs from a lagoon.
That from the mountains of the moon.
But whether our old Thames be ours
To-morrow, or another Power's,
Is now the question in dispute
And not a Briton should be mute.

Did ever wily France lie still.
Unsatisfied her ravenous will ?
Satisfied one brief hour, the next
Again she springs, and seems perplext
What else to lay her hands upon.
From Arctic to Antarctic zone,
And now she says aloud, " The Rhine
With all on the left hand is mine
Proving it must be hers because
Her sword thrust down his throat her laws.

Thus if you catch a thief and tear
From him the stolen goods, " Beware,"
Cries he, " Fait accompli I let go,"
He swears and shakes his fist.
Just so
Says France to Europe ; Europe hears.
Trembles, and staggers, and forbears.