Sticks, staves, and swords, and guns, the tools of treason? The bark and bite, In which, says Doctor Watts, the dogs delight, In equity, not iniquity? Or was it but a speculation, Or transmigration, How certain of our most distinguished Daniels, Transformed to mastiffs, setters, hounds, and spaniels Methinks, indeed, I recognize A celebrated judge, toc prone to tarry Prolonging even Law's delays, and still * See the story of Sidi Nonman, in the Arabian Nights Meanwhile the weary and desponding client So slow, indeed, was justice in its ways, And that sagacious and judicial Creature, With ears so wig-like, and a cape of fur, And puppies under age It may be that the Creature was not meant Or Lyndhurst, after the vacation's furlough, On wool he sometimes wishes in his ears, When touching Corn Laws, Taxes, or Tithe-piggery, He hears a fierce attack, And, sitting on his sack, Listens in his great wig to greater Whiggery! So, possibly, those others, In coats so various, or sleek, or rough, Aim not at any of the legal brothers, Who wear the silken robe, or gown of stuff. Yet who that ever heard or saw The Counsel sitting in that solemn Court, As good at finding heirs as any harriers, Renowned like greyhounds for long tales — indef, In Deeds of Trust as sure as Tray the trusty, Full of urbanity, or supercilious, And never may the canine race regret it, With cares that prey upon the heart and fret it As human suitors have had cause to weep For what is Law, unless poor Dogs can get it A WINTER NOSEGAY. O, WITHER'D Winter Blossoms, Unless to stand for Emblems, and peevish morals of humanity? There is my Quaker Aunt, A Paper-Flower-with a formal border Pouting at that old beau-the Winter Cherry, And Box, like tough-liv'd annuitant- From quarter-day even to quarter-day; Under the baptism of the water-pot, And why, Dost hold thy head so high, Old Winter-Daisy ; Because thy virtue never was infirm, That never wanton fly, or blighted worm, To garden thief, Forcepp'd or wing'd, was never a temptation ;Well-still uphold thy wintry reputation; Still shalt thou frown upon all lovers' trial: And when, like Grecian maids, young maids of ours Converse with flow'rs, Then thou shalt be the token of denial. Away! dull weeds, Born without beneficial use or needs! To tantalize-vile cheats! Some prodigal bee, with hope of after-sweets, As if ye never knew Or the warm sun resplendent; Giving no sweets back to the fostering air, I hate ye, of all breeds! Yea, all that live so selfishly-to self, EPIGRAM, ON MRS. PARKES'S PAMPHLET. SUCH strictures as these Could a learned Chinese Only read on some fine afternoon, For a Dragon has seized on the Moon !" |