'Song of the Box' Summary

"The Song of the Box" is a satirical poem by Thomas Moore, specifically targeting George Grote, a proponent of secret ballots in English politics. Moore's poem uses a lighthearted approach to highlight the issues plaguing public voting in the 19th century, particularly intimidation and vote buying. The poem is narrated from the perspective of a ballot box, which is personified as a 'silent witness' to the political process. The poem contrasts the 'old' way of voting, where voters were coerced or bribed, with the newly proposed secret ballot. The poem's central message is the importance of anonymous voting as a means to ensure fairness and freedom in elections, ultimately empowering the individual voter.