Then on my troubled senses, keen reproach Of multitudes deceived, resounded; dreadful thought, Then did 1 wish that I had ne'er advanced
Or sought to be elected; for I felt with pain
My reputation, blown up to a bubble,
Soon, soon would burst; and the foul breath that raised it
To th' yelling mob from whence it rose, return.
Then did wish I were a private man, And that my fame was still unblemished. Oft would I strive to conquer rising shame- To seek the calm retreat that virtue owns, There to drink deep of Lethe's streams—and try Thus to forget that I had raised a flame In Devon, which may prove my future ruin. Still would the envious and tumultuous train Tax me with falsehood; and with loud upbraidings Howl in mine ears and harrow up my soul. Next dreamt I of my paltry triumph.
Then came two noble honored men Friends of their country and their king.—Alas! All have I ingloriously dishonored. Then gathered just upon my view All that same band of shameless banditti Who graced my chairing.-How that day Made my proud heart in palpitation sink, When to my great astonishment I saw The windows closed, and marks of funeral pomp Display'd t'abase me-'stead of county joy When a new member, high in lofty state, Rides through the county town triumphant.
Mine was no triumph, Pop:-for well thou knowest That I sat trembling in the amphibious car
Which bore me, headed by a lawless mob,
Through Exon's lofty streets, where banners black
And bells deep tolling, on my wearied ear
Harsh sounding as I passed along,
Taught me to feel the citizens' contempt.
Alas! my gracious Lord, all these sad truths Bode not of good. Mine the exaited task, Henceforth to prop your Lordship's waning fame.
1 at the different outposts will commission Persons to whose known latitude of speech With safety I can place reliance. These Shall against another time take care The public mind to lull into security
With falsehoods gross, as those which yesterday Brought us away triumphant. You, my Lord, Regardless of virtue's call, or honor's tie, Seek quickly to ensure a safe return, Or for yourself or some known partizan Who to our cause is friendly.
A Fortescue, or Russell, fear not us,
Who stick at nought (whether our oath at stake Or the great public good) our ends to gain.
Aye, Pop, full well I know thy eager zeal, And that it oft hath prompted thee to act Much 'gainst thy conscience-if thou'rt possessed Of any such great monitor. But, Pop, Greatly in "fiz," and in corruption too Thy representative resemblest thou,
Thou, when thy oratory grew tow'rd end
Oft has bid those who did their country love,
Cry," God save Ebrington"-" No king"-" No clergy."
And when good Acland and his worthy colleague
Came on the hustings to address their friends,
Thou and my other noted limb o' th' law With groans and hisses oft assailed them, Made the mob yell, until their open mouths Were fit to take my largest promised loaf Into their throats capacious; thou, my Pop, Thou and thy friends have oft assisted me. Meanwhile attendant on the mob's high will, I (with a spaniel puppy at my heels, With a starched collar, of the Regent's breed) Held up my finger reprehending them, Still being certain, that at Acland's voice, They would again commence their hellish yell. These are the methods which 'gainst honor's laws I and my democratic friends pursued
To daunt the virtuous and honor'd men
Who were to me opposed.
Good, my Lord, Nothing but falsehood, E -n, and fraud, Could in this cause have proved successful. These we'll pursue; and of the vantage gained Take good occasion ;-but observe, my Lord, The coach now waits to take your Lordship hence, s is in the box, the roof bestrewed With flowery wreaths, surmounted with a crown; All now attendant wait; the moment seize T' escape the vigilance of the mob incensed.
Well said, my friendly Pop, haste to the door, And bid my foxy friend repair with haste Down through the Fore-street, North-street-hill, And at the new-made private city road There to remain for me. Meanwhile I
Round through the Northernhay will quickly bolt, And leave the astonished crew in wonder lost. Those, when I'm gone, can do nor good nor harm, And mongst themselves will fight; to us Now be the pleasures of reflection.
Reflections such as ours must be, my Lord, Cannot bring pleasure to our wearied minds; But we have gained our cause-repentance now Comes late-nor shall it ever enter here. Farewell-Misrepresentative-Farewell.
Soliloquy of Pop--the orders executed-coach gone offfavors torn up-laurels trodden under foot-himself afraid to shew his nose.
And now his Lordship's gone, I'll view my gains, Though pledged to take my labour for my pains. I've fleeced him-fooled him-so I will again- For they are nought, unless my merry brain Be with their nonsense mixed, to scrape A squib or two, to amuse each wond'ring ape;
My gains must be enormous, for I hold A pound for every vote in safety polled, And to be paid, which I must next consider, At the great sale: I'll be the highest bidder. Then shall I have his Lordship safe in hand, As I well know he'll soon come to a stand. For late from Italy returned, the debt redeemed Which plunged his family in grief, but seemed To buy Devonia's sense-to gild the pill Which threatened fortune, name, and Castle Hill Thus some grow great from their revenue spent, And fly from bailiffs into parliament.
The New Rolliad; or, Devonshire Election.
A Pamphlet, bearing the above title, was publish'sd in London; from which we shall make some extracts, for the amusement of our readers-Immediately after the prefatory remarks, follows
An Extract from Sir G-e C-ll-r's Log Rook.
June 25, 10 a. m. A strange sail in sight: sent Mr. Constable to a boat to examine her: proved to be the Independence, of Teignmouth, Captain EbHad her rington, laden with wigs and plumpers. searched for slaves: not one aboard. When we left her she hoisted enemy's colors: we gave chase.
June 26, 5 p. m. Spoke the People, Captain Right: found she had lost her rudder, and was quite unmanageable: would neither tack nor veer. Our ship rolled d-mn--bly.
June 27, Made all sail in chase of the Ebrington; but she being to windward we could not come up to her. The Acland fell astern.
June 29. Little wind: set the royals. Our royals from the dock-yard at Plymouth: the canvas weak, and soon worn out.
June 30. Parted company with the Acland: a low sailer, but built of good oak.
July 1. Nearly calm. The Acland was run down by the Ebrington, and boarded: much firing from the Acland. Half-past 5, p. m. Saw her haul down her colors: the Ebrington took possession of the hulk, and sent the crew ashore at New Pier. Thick, hazy weather: saw the Ebrington come to an anchor in Parliament Bay: made sail after her, though a long way astern; ship struck on the Treasury Bank, going in.
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