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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| XI. | ODE XI. |
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 | The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] |  |
ODE XI.
Treat sov'reigns, sirs, with more respect, I beg,
To thrones, with due decorum make a leg;
Ev'n those are sacred, though but empty chairs:
There lurks in thrones a something, tho' but wood,
That thrills with awe the vulgar mass of blood,
And fills the mouth and eye with gapes and stares:
To thrones, with due decorum make a leg;
Ev'n those are sacred, though but empty chairs:
There lurks in thrones a something, tho' but wood,
That thrills with awe the vulgar mass of blood,
And fills the mouth and eye with gapes and stares:
Wishing by no means to affront,
I wonder what's the meaning on't.
I wonder what's the meaning on't.
Louis Quatorze was quite the Frenchman's god;
Who made all nations tremble at his nod;
Married Scarron's old widow, dry and frowsy;
Got deep in debt, the constable outran;
And, to complete the farce, this god-like man
Died—lousy !
Who made all nations tremble at his nod;
Married Scarron's old widow, dry and frowsy;
Got deep in debt, the constable outran;
And, to complete the farce, this god-like man
Died—lousy !
The crown, so powerful, made him every thing,
There's somewhat marv'lous in it, I must own—
Lo, folly is not folly on a throne,
For whiting's eyes are di'monds in a king!
There's somewhat marv'lous in it, I must own—
Lo, folly is not folly on a throne,
For whiting's eyes are di'monds in a king!
I dare not say that no exception springs
Against this mighty magic pow'r of kings:
Not all a monarch's smiles, and pow'rs of place,
Can wipe vulgarity from Brudenell's face;
Nor, though a whole eternity they try,
Blot art, infernal art, from H---ksb---y's eye;
Blot beast from S*lisb---y, who no legend needs,
Pertness from D---k, and vacancy from L---ds.
Against this mighty magic pow'r of kings:
201
Can wipe vulgarity from Brudenell's face;
Nor, though a whole eternity they try,
Blot art, infernal art, from H---ksb---y's eye;
Blot beast from S*lisb---y, who no legend needs,
Pertness from D---k, and vacancy from L---ds.
| The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] | |