University of Virginia Library


37

VIII. MY SINECURE PLACE.

How's this, my Lord Grey, can you mean what you say?
Abolish all sinecures: pause, my Lord, pray!
Oh, hear me, my Lord: is this really the case?
Nay, do not take from me my Sinecure Place!
Consider, my income is small for a peer.
I'm poor, if you take my odd thousands a-year.
Consider, I pray you, how ancient my race,
Its dignity sinks with my Sinecure Place.
My mansion in town has been lately rebuilt,
Adorn'd with superb scagliola, and gilt.
Pray, how shall I look Mr. Nash in the face,
If you now put an end to my Sinecure Place?
My castle must also be kept in repair;
One month out of twelve I contrive to be there;
One month I devote to the joys of the chase.
My castle would go with my Sinecure Place!
My cottage ornée, on the Devonshire coast,
Must also be sold, if my place should be lost.
Now, pray, my Lord, do reconsider my case,
And let me retain my snug Sinecure Place.
My lady her opera-box must discard!
My lady, the beauty—you'll own 'twould be hard.
My fortune won't pay for her feathers and lace;
Then leave me, oh, leave me, my Sinecure Place!
Economy may be discreet, I dare say,
Retrenchment is all very well in its way;
But there's no occasion for setting your face
'Gainst my individual Sinecure Place.

38

You must, my Lord Grey, (it is time to be frank,)
Uphold the importance of persons of rank!
The aristocratic look up to your race,
Support them, and leave me my Sinecure Place.
If beggarly vagabonds will make a row,
Be firm, and intimidate, no matter how.
E'en flourish a sword in each vagabond's face;
I'll do it myself for my Sinecure Place.
I'll stipulate always to give you my vote—
Whatever you dictate I'll utter by rote;
Your notions—whate'er they may be—I'll embrace,
And I'll do any job for my Sinecure Place.