 | The Works of Thomas Love Peacock |  |
THE COMPARISON
As Jove t'other day was in nectar regaling,When Juno for once put a stop to her railing
Of Hermes he asked, having grown rather mellow,
“What d'ye think of Lucretia, my comical fellow?”
“Is't the Roman Lucretia,” quoth Hermes, “you mean,
Or Lucretia, the beauty of Shacklewell Green?”
“Why, I mean her of old,” answer'd Jove with an oath,
“But prythee let's hear what you think of them both.”
“Lucretia of Rome,” Hermes quickly replied,
“Had plenty of beauty and plenty of pride;
I would not be thought at her virtues to scoff,
Yet I think she did wrong when she kill'd herself off.
But the modern Lucretia, to say't is my duty,
Has twice as much virtue and twice as much beauty,
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As with all the first's charms she has none of her failings.”
“Indeed,” cried the Thunderer, “a creature so charming
Must cause in the envious sensations alarming;
She's a toast for immortals, 'tis plain to be seen,
So here's to the beauty of Shacklewell Green!”
| The Works of Thomas Love Peacock | |