Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Zoological Gardens, Military Technology, War, Politics

    Describes the armadillo to be seen at the Zoological Society Gardens. Draws attention to the strong coat of armour which covers the species and considers 'how well it would be, / Were all of our neighbours armed only like thee'. Describes the precarious political situation in Europe, wishing that its countries would 'leave one another alone', in which case they would not need as strong a 'safeguard' as the armadillo's. Notes that 'France will arm to the teeth, not with rivals to cope, / But to fight, if required, for the crown of the Pope', but that if France were to disarm, its example would prompt other European countries to follow suit.