'The tripe,' quoth the Jew, with his chocolate cheek, 'What the de'il, mon, a pasty!' re-echoed the Scot, But we quickly found out, for who could mistake her? That she came with some terrible news from the baker : And so it fell out, for that negligent sloven Had shut out the pasty on shutting his oven. And now that I think on 't, the story may stop. 100 110 120 THE LOGICIANS REFUTED L IN IMITATION OF DEAN SWIFT OGICIANS have but ill defin'd Have strove to prove with great precision, Homo est ratione præditum, But for my soul I cannot credit 'em ; ΤΟ And must in spite of them maintain, Than reason-boasting mortal's pride; Who ever knew an honest brute At law his neighbour prosecute, Or friends beguile with lies and flattery? They eat their meals and take their sport, They never to the levee go To treat as dearest friend, a foe; Nor draw the quill to write for B—b. No judges, fiddlers, dancing-masters, At court, the porters, lacqueys, waiters, 20 30 40 50 STANZAS ON THE TAKING OF QUEBEC, AND DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE A MIDST the clamour of exulting joys, Which triumph forces from the patriot heart, Grief dares to mingle her soul-piercing voice, And quells the raptures which from pleasures start. O Wolfe! to thee a streaming flood of woe, Alive, the foe thy dreadful vigour fled, And saw thee fall with joy-pronouncing eyes: ΤΟ EPILOGUE TO THE SISTER' HAT! five long acts—and all to make us wiser! WHA Had she consulted me, she should have made Her moral play a speaking masquerade; Warm'd up each bustling scene, and in her rage Have emptied all the green-room on the stage. My life on 't, this had kept her play from sinking; ΤΟ But how? ay, there's the rub! [pausing]-I've got my cue: The world's a masquerade! the maskers, you, you, you. [To Boxes, Pit, and Gallery. Lud! what a group the motley scene discloses ! There Hebes, turn'd of fifty, try once more To raise a flame in Cupids of threescore. These in their turn, with appetites as keen, Miss, not yet full fifteen, with fire uncommon, Deserting fifty, fasten on fifteen, Flings down her sampler, and takes up the woman : 20 The little urchin smiles, and spreads her lure, Strip but his vizor off, and sure I am Perhaps, to vulgar eyes, bestrides the state; 30 [Mimicking. He bows, turns round, and whip-the man's a black! 40 Yon critic, too—but whither do I run? If I proceed, our bard will be undone ! Well then a truce, since she requests it too: PROLOGUE TO ZOBEIDE' SPOKEN BY QUICK IN THE CHARACTER OF A SAILOR IN N these bold times, when Learning's sons explore And quit for Venus, many a brighter here; Our bard into the general spirit enters, And fits his little frigate for adventures : With Scythian stores, and trinkets deeply laden, To make an observation on the shore. Where are we driven? our reck'ning sure is lost! This seems a barren and a dangerous coast. Lord, what a sultry climate am I under! [Upper gallery. There mangroves spread, and larger than I've seen 'em Here trees of stately size—and turtles in 'em Here ill-conditioned oranges abound [Pit. 20 [Balconies. [Stage. And apples [takes up one and tastes it], bitter apples, strew the ground. The place is uninhabited, I fear. I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! [Making signs. 'Tis best, however, keeping at a distance. 30 Our ship's well stor'd;-in yonder creek we've laid her; This is his first adventure; lend him aid, Or you may chance to spoil a thriving trade. His goods, he hopes, are prime, and brought from far, Equally fit for gallantry and war. What! no reply to promises so ample? I'd best step back-and order up a sample. THRENODIA AUGUSTALIS SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF HER LATE ROYAL HIGHNESS THE ADVERTISEMENT THE following may more properly be termed a compilation than a poem. It was prepared for the composer in little more than two days: and may therefore rather be considered as an industrious effort of gratitude than of genius. In justice to the composer it may likewise be right to inform the public, that the music was composed in a period of time equally short. B |