The poem
They told to Marie Antoinette: "The beggers at your gate Have eyes too sad for tears to wet, And for your pity wait." But Marie only laughed and said: "My heart they will not ache: If people starve for want of bread Let them eat cake."
The Court re-echoed her bon mot; It rang around the land, Till masses wakened from their woe With scyth and pick in hand. It took a careless, callous phrase To rouse the folk forlorn: A million roared the Marseillaise: Freedom was born.
And so to Marie Antoinette Let's pay a tribute due; Humanity owes her a debt, (Ironical, it's true). She sparked world revolution red, And as with glee they bore Upon a pike her lovely head --Her curls dripped gore.