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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A MORAL CONCLUSION. |
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 | The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] |  |
A MORAL CONCLUSION.
In this world's wild, uncertain chase,
What strange events at times take place!
Some bright with joy, some black with sorrow!
Omnium est rerum vicissitudo!
To day what wonders I and you do,
That happen not again to-morrow!
What strange events at times take place!
Some bright with joy, some black with sorrow!
Omnium est rerum vicissitudo!
To day what wonders I and you do,
That happen not again to-morrow!
Hawkesb'ry, and Wyndham, Canning, Long,
Were under-strappers to Will Pitt;
Forerunners, oft they gave their tongue
Before the great man pour'd his wit.
Were under-strappers to Will Pitt;
Forerunners, oft they gave their tongue
Before the great man pour'd his wit.
Thus Paul's four small clock-quarters ('prentice boys)
Instruct their mighty master when to sound:
Paul solemn listens to the tinkling noise,
Then breaks in thunder to the world around!
Instruct their mighty master when to sound:
Paul solemn listens to the tinkling noise,
Then breaks in thunder to the world around!
501
But herald under-strappers now no more,
Pitt out of office, the broad farce is o'er;
Flung from his pedestal amid the rabble,
Deep-thundering Pitt is—poor old Goody Gabble.
Pitt out of office, the broad farce is o'er;
Flung from his pedestal amid the rabble,
Deep-thundering Pitt is—poor old Goody Gabble.
Ah me! sic transit gloria mundi—
Such things will be till moon and sun die,
And earth our ashes, our pale embers cover:
And really, when we sum up all,
What's life?—A blast—a little squall.—
Death's calm must come at last, and all is over—
All in our tombs in peace—not one
To read ‘Hic jacet’ on the stone!
Such things will be till moon and sun die,
And earth our ashes, our pale embers cover:
And really, when we sum up all,
What's life?—A blast—a little squall.—
Death's calm must come at last, and all is over—
All in our tombs in peace—not one
To read ‘Hic jacet’ on the stone!
| The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] | |