The Probationary Odes of Jonathan Pindar, Esq :: :: University of Virginia Library

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

Tucker, St. George (1752-1827)

THE DRUNKEN INDIAN.—A TALE.

ELEGY.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

ELEGY.

Another C ** s now is dead,
Whose fate we all must sigh at;
Two years a busy life it led,
Though now it lies so quiet.

Addresses did it make and mend,
And echo back long speeches,
And oft the Constitution rend,
Nor ever head the breaches.

Sometimes, like Captain Bobadill,
'Twould stoutly swear and swagger;
And fight too,—with a goose's quill,
But not with sword or dagger.

Old injuries it did forget,
And meekly bore with new ones;

For fervours dying much in debt,
False friends prefer'd to true ones.

The public credit to encrease,
It tax'd us without ending;
But lest the Public Debt should cease,
Devis'd new ways of spending.

Freedom of Speech and of the press,
It set about curtailing,
Reserving to itself no less
The liberty of railing.

For liberty it dearly lov'd,
As Spaniard doth his spouse, Sirs;
And, like him, its affection prov'd,—
Confin'd her to the house, Sirs.

And yet, 'twould at her sometimes rail
With face as red as scarlet,
That you'd suppose she was as frail
As any common harlot.

It had a most uncommon spite
At Clubs and Democrats, Sirs;
As some good folks are in a fright
When they espy a Cat, Sirs.

100

That it hath done a world of good
No mortal now denies, Sirs
(Although too late 'tis understood)
By opening all our eyes, Sirs.

Grieve not, good folks, it did not live.
Like British Kings, forever;
For from its ashes shall revive
Another full as clever.

Whilst S * h and A * s and S ** k hold
Their heads above the water,
With Liberty they'l make as bold
As if they'd fairly bought her.

Nor shall there lack another field
For darling Speculation;
If nothing else a price would yield,
Such men would sell the nation.

Written in April, 1795.

The time taken up the last Congress in fabricating the address to the President, cost the country a sum that would have redeemed many of our fellow citizens from slavery. One or two days debate were spent upon a single word, and several upon a paragraph.

Who would not have thought to have heard the indignation vomited forth against the Algerines, that THEY at least would have experienced the effects of our resentments? Even the peaceful mission of Mr. Jay was interpreted to have an object somewhat different.

The projected sale of the Western Lands, at 20 cents per acre—(the price contemplated in the report of the late Secretary of the Treasury) if carried into effect, will afford a Banquet to the Speculators, more delicious than even the establishment of the Bank. Such a waste of national treasure would almost amount to selling the nation itself.