Veto (Monsieur and Madame)

Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette. So called by the Republicans, because the Constituent Assembly allowed the king to have the power of putting his veto upon any decree submitted to him (1791.)

Monsieur Veto swore heʹd bide

To the constitution true

But he cast his oath aside,

Teaching us the like to do.

Madame Veto swore one day

All the Paris rout to slay;

But we snapped the tyrant’s yoke,

Turning all her threats to smoke.

E. C. B.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.