Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

LXIII.

Now justices of peace must judge all pieces
Of mischief of all kinds, and keep the game
And morals of the country from caprices

Of those who have not a licence for the same;
And of all things, excepting tithes and leases,
Perhaps these are most difficult to tame:
Preserving partridges and pretty wenches
Are puzzles to the most precautious benches.

LXIV.

The present culprit was extremely pale,
Pale as if painted so; her cheek being red
By nature, as in higher dames less hale

'Tis white, at least when they just rise from bed Perhaps she was ashamed of seeming frail,

Poor soul for she was country born and bred, And knew no better in her immorality

Than to wax white-for blushes are for quality.

LXV.

Her black, bright, downcast, yet espiègle eye,
Had gather'd a large tear into its corner,
Which the poor thing at times essay'd to dry,
For she was not a sentimental mourner
Parading all her sensibility,

Nor insolent enough to scorn the scorner,
But stood in trembling, patient tribulation,
To be call'd up for her examination.

LXVI.

Of course these groups were scatter'd here and there,
Not nigh the gay saloon of ladies gent.
The lawyers in the study; and in air

The prize pig, ploughman, poachers; the men sent From town, viz. architect and dealer, were

Both busy (as a general in his tent Writing despatches) in their several stations, Exulting in their brilliant lucubrations.

LXVII.

But this poor girl was left in the great hall,
While Scout, the parish guardian of the frail,
Discuss'd (he hated beer yclept the "small")
A mighty mug of moral double ale.

She waited until Justice could recall

Its kind attentions to their proper pale,
To name a thing in nomenclature rather
Perplexing for most virgins-a child's father.

LXVIII.

You see here was enough of occupation

For the Lord Henry, link'd with dogs and horses. There was much bustle too, and preparation Below stairs on the score of second courses;

Because, as suits their rank and situation,

Those who in counties have great land resources Have " public days," when all men may carouse, Though not exactly what's called " open house."

LXIX.

But once a week or fortnight, uninvited

(Thus we translate a general invitation) All country gentlemen, esquired or knighted, May drop in without cards, and take their station At the full board, and sit alike delighted

With fashionable wines and conversation;

And, as the isthmus of the grand connection,
Talk o'er themselves the past and next election.

LXX.

Lord Henry was a great electioneerer,
Burrowing for boroughs like a rat or rabbit.
But county contests cost him rather dearer,
Because the neighbouring Scotch Earl of Giftgabbit
Had English influence, in the self-same sphere here;
His son, the Honourable Dick Dicedrabbit,
Was member for the "other interest" (meaning
The same self-interest, with a different leaning).

LXXI.

Courteous and cautious therefore in his county,
He was all things to all men, and dispensed
To some civility, to others bounty,

And promises to all-which last commenced
To gather to a somewhat large amount, he
Not calculating how much they condensed;
But what with keeping some, and breaking others,
His word had the same value as another's.

LXXII.

A friend to freedom and freeholders-yet
No less a friend to government-he held,
That he exactly the just medium hit

'Twixt place and patriotism-albeit compell'd, Such was his sovereign's pleasure, (though unfit, He added modestly, when rebels rail'd,)

To hold some sinecures he wish'd abolish'd,
But that with them all law would be demolish'd.

He was

LXXIII.

"free to confess"-(whence comes this phrase?

Is't English? No-'tis only parliamentary) That innovation's spirit now-a-days

Had made more progress than for the last century. He would not tread a factious path to praise, Though for the public weal disposed to venture high; As for his place, he could but say this of it, That the fatigue was greater than the profit.

LXXIV.

Heaven, and his friends, knew that a private life
Had ever been his sole and whole ambition;
But could he quit his king in times of strife,

Which threaten'd the whole country with perdition? When demagogues would with a butcher's knife

Cut through and through (oh ! damnable incision!) The Gordian or the Geordi-an knot, whose strings Have tied together commons, lords, and kings.

LXXV.

Sooner "come place into the civil list

[keep it,

And champion him to the utmost—” (1) he would Till duly disappointed or dismiss'd:

Profit he cared not for, let others reap it;

But should the day come when place ceased to exist,
The country would have far more cause to weep it:
For how could it go on? Explain who can!
He gloried in the name of Englishman.

LXXVI.

He was as independent—ay, much more—

Than those who were not paid for independence,

As common soldiers, or a common

hore,

Have in their several arts or parts ascendance

O'er the irregulars in lust or gore,

Who do not give professional attendance. Thus on the mob all statesmen are as eager Το prove their pride, as footmen to a beggar.

LXXVII.

All this (save the last stanza) Henry said,
And thought. I say no more—I've said too much;
For all of us have either heard or read-

Off-or upon the hustings-some slight such
Hints from the independent heart or head
Of the official candidate. I'll touch

No more on this—the dinner-bell hath rung,
And grace is said; the grace I should have sung —

(1) "Rather than so, come, fate, into the list,

And champion me to the utterance."- Macbeth.

« FöregåendeFortsätt »