(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 he'd 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.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
