 | The Last Poems of Philip Freneau |  |
Lines to a Lady
Of making presents to the Great:
They send a turkey, or a hen,
To—who might better give them Ten
A splendid present you prepare:
But tell us, madam, where's the man
That will engage to take it there?—
It is a monstrous way to go,
And cash is rather scarce, you know.
And reigns ten thousand miles away,
Has, surely, Carpets of his own,
His subjects weave him every day—
Then, why employ such pains and care
In presents, to be sent so far?
Is but a wild, romantic scheme;
He is a prince above the Law,
His very nod is all supreme;
And presents that an Envoy brings,
He only takes from Brother Kings.
(Not Fortune's favorites, we may swear)
The children of distress and woes,
That ask your pity, claim your care?—
And think no more of Nadir Shah.
It seems to augur ill to Republicanism, to observe so many of our citizens courting familiarity with, and rendering themselves obsequious to Royalists and crowned heads. Thus, not more than a year ago, was seen a Document signed, on the right hand, by Alexander, autocrat or despot of Russia, and on the left by Noah Worcester, a Massachusetts deacon. The good deacon, as a republican, which I am told he is, should have been ashamed to be seen in such company. Numbers of elegant presents are now preparing, it is well ascertained, to be sent to crowned heads in the East Indies and elsewhere. One in particular, it is said, is getting up, with all expedition, for her majesty, the queen of the Sandwich, or O-why-hee islands. If a holy missionary is to attend and conduct each of these munificent gifts, we shall have enough of them. How the funds of the Bible Societies will hold out, is not yet known.
| The Last Poems of Philip Freneau | |