The Age Reviewed A Satire: In two parts: Second edition, revised and corrected [by Robert Montgomery] |
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 | The Age Reviewed |  |
Oh! ye who wallow on the couch of ease,
Who gorge what meats, and quaff what wines, ye please;
Ye who ride smiling o'er your spacious grounds,
Bestride your hunters, and pursue the hounds;
Can banquets, balls, and luxuries from town,
And every gaud that buys a mean renown,
Bestow such bliss, as if the happy poor
Pointed with blessings to your open door?
As if your wealth diffused around the plain,
“Health to the sick, and comfort to the swain?”
Soften your hearts, be noble, if ye can;
Let England see her Country Gentleman!
That patriotic plant of British growth,
Worth all your lordly lumps of vice and sloth;
Instead of fops, raise sons that shall adorn,
While thousands bless the spot where they were born;
Instead of painted drabs to swoon and whine,
And sniver o'er a sentimental line,
Or else to waltz it with unbosomed charms,
In the snug circle of a dandy's arms;
Instead of such a shape of vulgar pride,
Rear modest daughters, who shall well preside,
Where'er domestic life, or duteous art,
Demand the union of the head and heart;
So, when the mother's love shall claim a share
Of fond solicitude and tender care,
Duty and love will both alike combine,
And teach them to uprear a useful line.
Who gorge what meats, and quaff what wines, ye please;
Ye who ride smiling o'er your spacious grounds,
Bestride your hunters, and pursue the hounds;
Can banquets, balls, and luxuries from town,
And every gaud that buys a mean renown,
85
Pointed with blessings to your open door?
As if your wealth diffused around the plain,
“Health to the sick, and comfort to the swain?”
Soften your hearts, be noble, if ye can;
Let England see her Country Gentleman!
That patriotic plant of British growth,
Worth all your lordly lumps of vice and sloth;
Instead of fops, raise sons that shall adorn,
While thousands bless the spot where they were born;
Instead of painted drabs to swoon and whine,
And sniver o'er a sentimental line,
Or else to waltz it with unbosomed charms,
In the snug circle of a dandy's arms;
Instead of such a shape of vulgar pride,
Rear modest daughters, who shall well preside,
Where'er domestic life, or duteous art,
Demand the union of the head and heart;
86
Of fond solicitude and tender care,
Duty and love will both alike combine,
And teach them to uprear a useful line.
| The Age Reviewed | |