The Probationary Odes of Jonathan Pindar, Esq A cousin of Peter's, and candidate for the post of Poet Laureat to the C. U. S. In two parts |
 |
 |
ODE X.
|
 | The Probationary Odes of Jonathan Pindar, Esq |  |
ODE X.
TO PANEGYRIC.
Jonathan revileth Satire—Detecteth her falsities, and disclaiming all future connection with her, invoketh Panegyric.
Sunt quibus in Satira videar nimis acer;
Hor.
Hor.
—Mentiri nescio.
Juvenal.
Juvenal.
To chase our spleen when themes like these encrease,
Shall Panegyric reign and Censure cease.
Shall Panegyric reign and Censure cease.
Satire, avaunt! think not that raven's plume,
Which erst aloft its croaking mother bore,
Now dip'd in gall, or asp's envenom'd spume,
Or the Lernæn Hydra's caustic gore,
Shall tempt these fingers, doom'd to other toil,
One page of virgin paper, ere to soil.
Which erst aloft its croaking mother bore,
Now dip'd in gall, or asp's envenom'd spume,
Or the Lernæn Hydra's caustic gore,
Shall tempt these fingers, doom'd to other toil,
One page of virgin paper, ere to soil.
Whom would'st thou blacken! Whither turn thine eyes?
Like aqua-fortis tho' thy breath corrode,
Pure gold of both, alike, the power defies,
Like armour temper'd by the Lemnian God.
Vain, then, the hope, that in this golden Age,
One victim shall be found to glut thy rage,
Like aqua-fortis tho' thy breath corrode,
81
Like armour temper'd by the Lemnian God.
Vain, then, the hope, that in this golden Age,
One victim shall be found to glut thy rage,
Arm'd Capapee in golden Coats of Mail,
Lo! S * h and A * s your fierce attacks despise;
S ** k grows bold—nor thinks of turning tail;
As if blood-bolster'd Banquo met his eyes.
Each Bank Director in defiance stands,
And Speculators clap their gilded hands.
Lo! S * h and A * s your fierce attacks despise;
S ** k grows bold—nor thinks of turning tail;
As if blood-bolster'd Banquo met his eyes.
Each Bank Director in defiance stands,
And Speculators clap their gilded hands.
O Nation blest! whose Senators display,
With such success their alchymistic power!
Thy rags and paper, one day blown away,
The next descending in a golden shower,
Like Jove!—or Himnap —who in shape of script
Into his neighbour's Dish his singers dipt;
But when Suspicion prickt her wolf-like Ears,
A Billet-doux his reputation clears.
With such success their alchymistic power!
Thy rags and paper, one day blown away,
The next descending in a golden shower,
Like Jove!—or Himnap —who in shape of script
Into his neighbour's Dish his singers dipt;
82
A Billet-doux his reputation clears.
He, like the God, in many a sly disguise
Of Livery, Petticoat, or Gipsey-hat
Securely hid, from prying, vulgar eyes,
Steals to his assignations, like a cat:
For not Grimalkin, hunting for a mouse,
Makes less disturbance in Cornuto's house.
Of Livery, Petticoat, or Gipsey-hat
Securely hid, from prying, vulgar eyes,
Steals to his assignations, like a cat:
For not Grimalkin, hunting for a mouse,
Makes less disturbance in Cornuto's house.
Say, mighty Himnap—dost thou give and take?
Secrets, for secret-services impart,
Like Sampson, whilst you nightly play the rake,
To each Dalilah open all your heart?
Whence each Cornuto with returning morn,
Like Ammon rises with a gilded horn!
Secrets, for secret-services impart,
Like Sampson, whilst you nightly play the rake,
To each Dalilah open all your heart?
Whence each Cornuto with returning morn,
Like Ammon rises with a gilded horn!
At Highgate I 've been told, you take an oath
To kiss the mistress, and neglect the maid!
Unless you better like to kiss them both;
Himnap at Highgate hath been sworn, 'tis said.
But groping in the dark for pretty Moll,
He, like Ixion, only grasps—a doll .
To kiss the mistress, and neglect the maid!
Unless you better like to kiss them both;
Himnap at Highgate hath been sworn, 'tis said.
But groping in the dark for pretty Moll,
He, like Ixion, only grasps—a doll .
Such tales you propagate—as false I vow,
As ere were fish'd up out of Falsehood's well.
Ah! Jonathan! you cry, I've caught you now,
'Tis there that Madam Truth is known to dwell.
Caitiff, thou liest! hear it to thy face;
Falsehood hath long usurp'd that Lady's place.
As ere were fish'd up out of Falsehood's well.
83
'Tis there that Madam Truth is known to dwell.
Caitiff, thou liest! hear it to thy face;
Falsehood hath long usurp'd that Lady's place.
Satire, too long have we endur'd thy reign:
Tyrant, the Guillotine demands thy Head!
Mild Panegyric shall thy Throne obtain,
And rule by coaxing, as thou dost by dread:
Like Milton, she can paint e'en Devils fair,
Whilst thou would'st paint them blacker than they are.
Tyrant, the Guillotine demands thy Head!
Mild Panegyric shall thy Throne obtain,
And rule by coaxing, as thou dost by dread:
Like Milton, she can paint e'en Devils fair,
Whilst thou would'st paint them blacker than they are.
Hail Panegyric! who, of Courts the Pride,
Dost Tyrants turn to Martyrs after Death;
Be thou my friend, my Patroness and Guide:
Dame of the Syren-voice! thy potent breath
Can blow up bubbles into air-balloons,
And grains of mustard swell to suns and moons;
Would'st thou but in a glass-house try thy skill,
We should have bottles, which a tun could fill.
Dost Tyrants turn to Martyrs after Death;
Be thou my friend, my Patroness and Guide:
Dame of the Syren-voice! thy potent breath
Can blow up bubbles into air-balloons,
And grains of mustard swell to suns and moons;
Would'st thou but in a glass-house try thy skill,
We should have bottles, which a tun could fill.
This worthy character is said to have been as much affected by the name of Shays, as Macbeth by the appearance of Banquo's Ghost.
Certainly Jonathan meant to use the word their, instead of thy: the sense is much more complete. C. C.
| The Probationary Odes of Jonathan Pindar, Esq | |