Strange disappointment in thy looks I read; To raise a monarch to the sky? Tubs, porter, pumps, vats, all the Whitbread throng, Thomas, I here protest, I want no quarrels More wise, more glorious in his life. Now God preserve all wonder-hunting kings, Whether at Windsor, Buckingham, or Kew-house: And may they never do more foolish things Than visiting Sam Whitbread and his brewhouse. THE AUTHOR AND THE STATESMAN [ADDRESSED BY FIELDING TO SIR ROBERT WALPOLE.] WHILE at the helm of state you ride, Our nation's envy, and its pride; And curse those councils which they praise; Which that he is you can not doubt, When you have read the sequel out. You know, great sir, that ancient fellows, Philosophers, and such folks, tell us, Greatness and happiness is seen. If then, as it might follow straight, The family that dines the latest, Your taste in architect, you know, Hath been admired by friend and foe: But can your earthly domes compare With all my castles-in the air? We're often taught it doth behoove us To think those greater who 're above us: Another instance of my glory, Who live above you, twice two story; Greatness by poets still is painted Nor in the manner of attendance, Doth your great bard claim less ascendance. Familiar you to admiration May be approached by all the nation; While I, like the Mogul in Indo, Am never seen but at my window. If with my greatness you're offended, The fault is easily amended; For I'll come down, with wondrous ea-e, Into whatever place you please. I'm not ambitious; little matters Will serve us great, but humble creatures. Suppose a secretary o' this isle, Just to be doing with a while; Admiral, gen'ral, judge, or bishop: Or I can foreign treaties dish up. If the good genius of the nation Should call me to negotiation, Tuscan and French are in my head, Latin I write, and Greek-I read. If you should ask, what pleases best? THE FRIEND OF HUMANITY AND THE KNIFE GRINDER.* FRIEND OF HUMANITY.† ANTI-JACOBIN. "NEEDY Knife-grinder! whither are you going? Some stanzas of the original poem, by Southey, are here subjoined: THE WIDOW. SAPPHICS. Cold was the night wind; drifting fast the snows fell; Drear were the downs, more dreary her reflections; Cold was the night wind, colder was her bosom: Fast o'er the heath a chariot rattled by her: "Pity me!" feebly cried the poor night wanderer, ↑ The "Friend of Humanity" was intended for MR. TIERNEY, M. P. for South. wark, who in early times was among the more forward of the Reformers. "He was," says Lord Brougham, "an assiduous member of the Society of Friends of the People, and drew up the much and justly celebrated Petition in which that useful body laid before the House of Commons all the more striking particulars of its defective title to the office of representing the people, which that House then, as now, but with far less reason, assumed. Weary Knife-grinder! little think the proud ones, Who in their coaches roll along the turnpike road, what hard work 'tis crying all day Knives and "Scissors to grind O!' 'Tell me, Knife-grinder, how came you to grind knives? Or the attorney? "Was it the squire, for killing of his game? or "(Have you not read the Rights of Man, by Tom Paine ?) Drops of compassion tremble on my eyelids, Ready to fall, as soon as you have told your Pitiful story." KNIFE-GRINDER. 'Story! God bless you! I have none to tell, sir, "Constables came up, for to take me into Custody; they took me before the justice; Justice Oldmixon put me in the parish Stocks for a vagrant. "I should be glad to drink your Honor's health in With politics, sir." FRIEND OF HUMANITY. "I give thee sixpence! I will see thee damned firstWretch! whom no sense of wrongs can rouse to vengeanceSordid, unfeeling, reprobate, degraded, Spiritless outcast!" [Kicks the Knife-grinder, overturns his wheel, and exit in a transport of Repub lican enthusiasm and universal philanthropy.] INSCRIPTION FOR THE DOOR OF THE CELL IN NEWGATE, WHERE MRS. BROWNRIGG, THE 'PRENTICE-CIDE WAS CONFINED PREVIOUS TO HER EXECUTION.* FOR One long term, or e'er her trial came, SHE WHIPP'D TWO FEMALE 'PRENTICES TO DEATII, Of the Orthyan goddess he bade flog The little Spartans; such as erst chastised Our Milton, when at college. For this act Did Brownrigg swing. Harsh laws! But time shall come When France shall reign, and laws be all repeal'd! INSCRIPTION BY SOUTHEY FOR THE APARTMENT IN CHEPSTOW CASTLE, WHERE HENRY MARTEN, THE REGICIDE, WAS IMPRISONED THIRTY YEARS. For thirty years, secluded from mankind, Here MARTEN lingered. Often have these walls He paced around his prison: not to him Did Nature's fair varieties exist; He never saw the sun's delightful beams, Save when through yon high bars he pour'd a sad When Christ shall come, and all things be fulfill'd! |