The British Constitution

Written by Thomas Paine, on being asked by an Englishman for a few lines on the subject by way of pastime.

Of all the wonders man e’er saw
That merit his applauses,
Since Adam delved in Paradise,
And Eve made beds of roses,
The greatest wonder of them all,
And free from all confusion,
It is — O lift your hands and eyes —
The British constitution.
It is as stable as the hills,
That have endured forever;
It is as fleeting as the waves
That glide in yonder river:
It is as changing as a maid,
Just when she is betrothing;
’Tis this, ’tis that, ’tis either thing,
’Tis every thing, ’tis nothing.
