Mostly that, plus a secret ingredient developed by Russian special forces for use in interrogation. But I've said too much.
'I never uttered any invectives against the king. His private worth it is altogether impossible that such a man as I can appreciate; but in his public capacity I always revered, and always will with the soundest loyalty revere the monarch of Great Britain as - to speak in masonic - the sacred keystone of our royal arch constitution. As to Reform principles, I look upon the British Constitution, as settled at the Revolution, to be the most glorious on earth, or that perhaps the wit of man can frame; at the same time, I think, not alone, that we have a good deal deviated from the original principles of that Constitution,- particularly, that an alarming system of corruption has pervaded the connection between the Executive and the House of Commons. This is the whole truth of my Reform opinions, which, before I knew the complexion of these innovating times, I too unguardedly as I now see sported with: henceforth I seal up my lips.' And when he was accused of republicanism... 'In my defence to their accusations, I said, that whatever might be my sentiments of republics, ancient or modern, as to Britain, I abjured the idea:- That a constitution, which, in its original principles, experience had proved to be every way fitted for our happiness in society, it would be insanity to sacrifice to an untried visionary theory' He supported the American and French revolutions and their transition to republics; likewise, he admired the political systems of Athens, republican Rome, the merchant republics of Italy and the Dutch Republic but he didn't think a British Republic would be a good idea, probably because we adopted constitutional monarchy relatively early and assumed 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
And yet he described the Hanoverians as a "beef witted insolent race of foreigners" and "an idiot race to honors lost" He also wrote a fair few poems that were egalitarian in nature. Some would even surmise he wasn't a big fan of the monarchy.
Did I mention the time I set myself on fire? When I woke up in the ward a man in a white coat said "wee cowerin timrous beastie". I asked "Where am I?" He replied "In the Burns unit"
