IT IS always a temptation to an armed and agile nation
\   To call upon a neighbour and to say:–
\ "We invaded you last night–we are quite prepared to fight,
\   Unless you pay us cash to go away."

And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
\   And the people who ask it explain
\ That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld
\   And then you'll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,
\   To puff and look important and to say:–
\ "Though we know we should defeat you,
\         we have not the time to meet you.
\   We will therefore pay you cash to go away."

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
\   But we've proved it again and again,
\ That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
\   You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
\   For fear they should succumb and go astray;
\ So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
\   You will find it better policy to say:–

"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,
\   No matter how trifling the cost;
\ For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
\   And the nation that plays it is lost!"