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] |  |
185
ODE II.
The fam'd Assembly of the French will smile,
At this disgrace of our fair isle:
Messieurs Fayette the Great and Co.
With tears of joy will overflow,
And order the assembly of the nation
To send you sweet congratulation.
At this disgrace of our fair isle:
Messieurs Fayette the Great and Co.
With tears of joy will overflow,
And order the assembly of the nation
To send you sweet congratulation.
What has thou to complain of each, thou imp?
Compar'd to kings, a grampus and a shrimp!
Compar'd to kings, a grampus and a shrimp!
Lo! when from Windsor mighty kings arrive,
Like London mack'rel, all alive!
Tureens of flatt'ry are prepar'd so hot
By courtiers—a delicious pepper-pot;
Which, to be sure, the royal maw devours,
Kings boasting very strong digestive pow'rs.
Like London mack'rel, all alive!
Tureens of flatt'ry are prepar'd so hot
By courtiers—a delicious pepper-pot;
Which, to be sure, the royal maw devours,
Kings boasting very strong digestive pow'rs.
A pointer thus, lock'd up a week,
Half starv'd, and longing for a steak;
Behold him now turn'd loose so wild to eat—
Gods! how he gobbles down the broth and meat!
Half starv'd, and longing for a steak;
Behold him now turn'd loose so wild to eat—
Gods! how he gobbles down the broth and meat!
Yes, flatt'ry-soups are all prepar'd so hot,
As I have hinted, a fine pepper-pot:
As I have hinted, a fine pepper-pot:
Side-dishes too of curtsies, bows, and scrapes,
With stare and wonder in all sorts of shapes;
Attentions darting from the full-stretch'd eye,
That not a royal glance may pass unheeded by:
Attentions sharp as those of Lumpy, Small,
At cricket skill'd to catch the flying ball;
Whilst you survey (abominable thing!)
With cold contempt the character of king!
With stare and wonder in all sorts of shapes;
Attentions darting from the full-stretch'd eye,
That not a royal glance may pass unheeded by:
Attentions sharp as those of Lumpy, Small,
At cricket skill'd to catch the flying ball;
Whilst you survey (abominable thing!)
With cold contempt the character of king!
Think by what royal bounty you are blest!
Think of the patronage to painters all!
Not a poor shallow rill confin'd to West,
But torrents that like Niagara fall.
Think of the patronage to painters all!
Not a poor shallow rill confin'd to West,
But torrents that like Niagara fall.
186
Yes, George is gen'rous—watches all your wants—
And pours his fost'ring rains upon his plants.
Then, meeting such a friend, you ought to cry
‘Glory be to George on high!’
And pours his fost'ring rains upon his plants.
Then, meeting such a friend, you ought to cry
‘Glory be to George on high!’
Thus, when two clouds approach, a wand'ring pair,
As oft it happens, 'mid their walks in air;
Though one be rich, the other poor
In rare electric matter, how they greet!
With what delight they seem to meet;
And, pleas'd, with all the fire of friendship roar.
As oft it happens, 'mid their walks in air;
Though one be rich, the other poor
In rare electric matter, how they greet!
With what delight they seem to meet;
And, pleas'd, with all the fire of friendship roar.
George, O ye raggamuffins, loves you dearly;
Sends you rare pictures for improvement yearly;
Buys up your works, and much commission gives
To hist'ry, portrait, landscape men—
Careful as of her chicken a good hen:
Thus like an alderman each limner lives,
Sends you rare pictures for improvement yearly;
Buys up your works, and much commission gives
To hist'ry, portrait, landscape men—
Careful as of her chicken a good hen:
Thus like an alderman each limner lives,
Yes; a good hen—I see her wing display'd,
To warm, protect you with parental shade:
But you, a flock of vile rebellious chicken,
Are all for mounting on your mother's back,
With threat'ning beak and noisy saucy clack,
Her eyes out, trying to be picking;
To warm, protect you with parental shade:
But you, a flock of vile rebellious chicken,
Are all for mounting on your mother's back,
With threat'ning beak and noisy saucy clack,
Her eyes out, trying to be picking;
Against her blasphemously swearing:
This is undutiful beyond all bearing.
Where'er the plaintive cry of want appears,
Cock'd, like a greyhound's, are the king's two ears:
Ready for such poor wights to bake and brew!
A circumstance believ'd by very few!
Thus, to philosophy's surprise,
A pin can lead the lightning of the skies!
This is undutiful beyond all bearing.
Where'er the plaintive cry of want appears,
Cock'd, like a greyhound's, are the king's two ears:
Ready for such poor wights to bake and brew!
A circumstance believ'd by very few!
Thus, to philosophy's surprise,
A pin can lead the lightning of the skies!
| The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] | |