The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] ... With a Copious Index. To which is prefixed Some Account of his Life. In Four Volumes |
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 | The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] |  |
Tell Peter Pindar, should you chance to meet him,
I like his genius—should be glad to greet him—
Yet let him know, crown'd heads are sacred things,
And bid him rev'rence more the best of kings ;
Still on his Pegasus continue jogging,
And give that Boswell's back another flogging.’
I like his genius—should be glad to greet him—
Yet let him know, crown'd heads are sacred things,
And bid him rev'rence more the best of kings ;
Still on his Pegasus continue jogging,
And give that Boswell's back another flogging.’
This is a strange and almost incredible speech from Johnson's mouth, as not many years ago, when the age of a certain great personage became the subject of debate, the doctor broke in upon the conversation with the following question:—‘Of what importance to the present company is his age?—Of what importance would it have been to the world if he had never existed?’ If we may judge likewise from the following speech, he deemed the present possessor of a certain throne, as much an usurper as King William, whom, according to Mr. Boswell's account, he bescoundrels. The story is this—An acquaintance of Johnson's asked him if he could not sing. He replied, ‘I know but one song; and that is, “The king shall enjoy his own again.”
| The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] | |