University of Virginia Library

Lackworth's Lively Character.

It shall be known how Lackworth came so Great,
And why he's thought no better than a Cheat.
He has more Faults than I'll pretend to tell;
But this, his Masterpiece, was hatch'd in Hell.
His curs'd Address, address'd a Knight to be,
None but himself could act such Villany.
And now's his time to get, and cheat a Wife,
Which this State-Quack did nicely to the Life.
Madam, quoth he, the King will be more kind,
Some grand Imployment is for me design'd;
And then an Earl, or Duke I shall be made:
Fond to be great, thus greatly she's betray'd.
The M--- Adventure next appears in view;
What Crouds of Fools into that Mine he threw:
Tho then or since he ne'er was on the Spot,
Yet cou'd cut out to every one his Lot,
Thrice fifty thousand Pounds by it he'as got.
Besides what by his Coals he makes a Year,
Transfers and Ways which do not yet appear.
This Pettyfogger thinks he cannot be
Call'd to account by Law or Equity.
But there's a Parliament can give relief,
To those who have been robb'd by such a Thief.
And if these will not do, there's one way more
To make him, what he'as basely got, restore.
Should any cheat me thus but of one Groat,
They should repent, or else—
But stay my Muse, and praise him if you can,
He has done more than e'er was done by Man.
Let none doubt that Philosophers of old
Transmuted baser Metals into Gold,
Since this most mighty Briton does much more,
Into coin'd Gold transmutes the Name of Oar.