Bonnie Prince Tuan

The beginning of our weird poetry series, today we look at a crazy poem written by a Qing official to celebrate Empress Dowager Cixi’s 60th Birthday. What makes it strange: it is written in English, in the Scottish dialect, and it celebrates a leader of the Boxer Rebels who attacked foreigners and those Chinese people who associated with them, particularly converts to Christianity. 

To the Lords of convention ’twas Prince Tuan who spoke:

E’re the King-‘s crown g-o down there are crowns to be broke; 

Then each Boxer lad who loves fighting and fun, 

Let him follow the bonnets of bonnie Prince Tuan.

Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can;

Come saddle my horses, and call out my men;

Unfurl the banner and let fire the gun,

For it’s up with the bonnets of bonnie Prince Tuan.

Prince Tuan he is mounted, he rides up the street.

The yells they shout backward, the drums they are beat;

But Li Hung-chang (douce man) said : ” Oh ! please sir man man

We will try to get rid of that de’il of Prince Tuan.”

Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can;

Come saddle my horses, and call out my men;

Unfurl the banner and let fire the gun.

For it’s up with the bonnets of bonnie Prince Tuan.

There are lands beyond Shense and hills beyond Szechuen; 

If there’s ” Changs ” in Hupeh, there are “Lius ” of Hunan; 

There are brave men millions four hundred and one Will cry: 

“Hey for the bonnets of bonnie Prince Tuan.”

Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can;

Come saddle my horses, and call out my men;

Unfurl the banner and let fire the gun,

For it’s up with the bonnets of bonnie Prince Tuan.

Then away to the hills, to the lea, to the rocks, 

E’re I own a usurper I’ll crouch with the fox; 

And tremble, ye de’ils in the midst of your glee, 

Ye hae no seen the last of my bonnets and me.

Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can;

Come saddle my horses, and call out my men;

Unfurl the banner and let fire the gun,

For it’s up with the bonnets of bonnie Prince Tuan.

Source: https://archive.org/details/cu31924023151297/page/n123/mode/2up