IF, then, the State will but assistance lend To give security to Companies, The Public Companies with monied wings Will fly like eagles to the scent of prey, And every nook and corner of the world Will find its Companies of men at work; And, for the aid each Company receives, Each Company could well afford to pay, Out of its surplus revenues, the State; If out of three but two a surplus have, Two-thirds of each will reimburse the State, And hold one-third a bonus to account, Which gives the State two-thirds for profit too, And two to reimburse the one that's lost. Thus, if a Government agrees to give, Whenever Public Companies are formed, To each a dividend—say, six per cent Per annum for a certain fixed time, And for security inspects accounts— Then, of the profits which each yieldeth more Than the same dividend of six per cent, Two-thirds the Government itself shall claim, The other third remaining to afford The Company an extra dividend. |