When Britain really ruled the waves - br (In good Queen Bess's time) br The House of Peers made no pretence br To intellectual eminence, br Or scholarship sublime; br Yet Britain won her proudest bays br In good Queen Bess's glorious days! br br When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte, br As every child can tell, br The House of Peers, throughout the war, br Did nothing in particular, br And did it very well; br Yet Britain set the world ablaze br In good King George's glorious days! br br And while the House of Peers withholds br Its legislative hand, br And noble statesmen do not itch br To interfere with matters which br They do not understand, br As bright will shine Great Britain's rays, br As in King George's glorious days!br br William Schwenck Gilbertbr br