The Ballad of Persse O'Reilly

Krunchie Killeen introducing and reciting the Ballad of Persse O'Reilly by James Joyce, which tells the story of the prototypical politician, a silk-spoken, soft-soaping, ear-wicking, uber-friendly salesman, who gains status by making outrageous promises, such as "Mares' milk for the sick, seven dry Sundays a week, open-air love and religion's reform," but meets his downfall when he makes a careless remark concerning allegations of inappropriate sexual activity against him.The public can tolerate his dishonesty and his immoral conduct (if any), but can't tolerate his careless remark, particularly if it is one that can be taken out of context and turned over by radio and newspapers.

Joyce, in Finnegan's Wake, is not concerned to tell the story of any particular politician, but of the universal politician-type, of which there are examples in every generation.