O Harlow, how I envied thee

Thy unabash'd effrontery,

Who dar'st a foe with freedom blame,

And call a coxcomb by his name!

When I return'd him answer none,
Obligingly the fool ran on,
"I see you're dismally distress'd,
Would give the world to be releas'd..
But, by your leave, sir, I shall still
Stick to your skirts, do what you will
Pray, which way does your journey tend?"
"O'tis a tedious way, my friend,

Across the Thames, the Lord knows where,
I would not trouble you so far."

"Well, I'm at leisure to attend you.".

"Are you? (thought I) the De'il befriend you."
No ass with double panniers rack'd,
Oppress'd, o'erladen, broken-back'd,
E'er look'd a thousandth part so dull
As I, nor half so like a fool.
"Sir, I know little of myself,
(Proceeds the pert conceited elf)
"If Gray or Mason you will deem
Than me more worthy your esteem.
Poems I write by folios

As fast as other men write prose;
Then I can sing so loud, so clear,

That Beard cannot with, me compare.
In dancing too I all surpass,

Not Cooke can move with such a grace."

Here I made shift with much ado

To interpose a word or two.

"Have you no parents, sir, no friends,
Whose welfare on your own depends?"
"Parents, relation, say you? No.
They're all dispos'd of long ago."-
"Happy to be no more perplex'd!
My fate too threatens, I go next.

Despatch me, sir, 'tis now too late,
Alas! to struggle with my fate!
Well, I'm convinc'd my time is come→→→
When young, a gipsy told my doom.
The beldame shook her palsied head,
As she perus'd my palm, and said :
Of poison, pestilence, or war,
Gout, stone defluxion, or catarrh,
You have no reason to beware.
Beware the coxcomb's idle prate ;
Chiefly, my son, beware of that.
Be sure, when you behold him, fly
Out of all earshot, or you die.”

wait

To Rufus' Hall we now draw near; Where he was summon'd to appear, Refute the charge the plaintiff brought, Or suffer judgment by default. "For Heaven's sake, if you love me, One moment! I'll be with you straight.” Glad of a plausible pretence"Sir, I must beg you to dispense With my attendance in the court, My legs will surely suffer for't.” "Nay, prithee, Carlos, stop awhile?" "Faith, sir, in law I have no skill. Besides, I have no time to spare, I must be going you know where." "Well, I protest, I'm doubtful now, Whether to leave my suit or you!" "Me without scruple! (I reply) Me by all means, sir "" No, not I. Allons Monsieur!" "Twere vain (you know)

To strive with a victorious foe.

So I reluctantly obey

And follow, where he leads the way.

You and Newcastle are so close,

Still hand and glove, sir--I suppose.—

Newcastle (let me tell you, sir)

Has not his equal every where.

Well. There indeed your fortune's made,
Faith, sir, you understand your trade.
Would you but give me your good word!
Just introduce me to my lord.

I should serve charmingly by way
Of second fiddle, as they say:

What think you, sir? 'twere a good jest,
Slife, we should quickly scout the rest.”-
"Sir, you mistake the matter far,
We have no second fiddles there.-
Richer than I some folks may be ;
More learned, but it hurts not me.
Friends, tho' he has of diff'rent kind,
Each has his proper place assign'd."
"Strange matters these alleg'd by you!"-
"Strange they may be, but they are true.".
"Well, then, I vow, 'tis mighty clever,
Now I long ten times more than ever
To be advanc'd extremely near

One of his shining character.

Have but the will-there wants no more

'Tis plain enough you have the pow'r.
His easy temper (that's the worst)

He knows, and is so shy at first.-
But such a cavalier as you-

Lord, sir, you'll quickly bring him to!"-
"Well; if I fail in my design,

Sir, it shall be no fault of mine.
If by the saucy servile tribe

Denied, what think you of a bribe?
Shut out to-day, not die with sorrow
But try my luck again to-morrov
Never attempt to visit him

But at the most convenient time
Attend him on each levee day,
And there my humble duty pay

Labour, like this, our want supplies;
And they must stoop who mean to rise."

While thus he wittingly harangu'd, For which you'll guess I wish'd him hang'd Campley, a friend of mine, came by, Who knew his humour more than I We stop, salute, and-" why so fast, Friend Carlos! Whither all this haste?". Fir'd at the thoughts of a reprieve, I pinch him, pull him, twitch his sleeve, Nod, beckon, bite my lips, wink, pout, Do ev'ry thing, but speak plain out: While he, sad dog, from the beginning, Determin'd to mistake my meaning; Instead of pitying my curse, By jeering made it ten times worse. "Campley, what secret, (pray!) was tha You wanted to communicate ?" "I recollect. But 'tis no matter. Carlos, we'll talk of that hereafter. E'en let the secret rest. "Twill tell Another time, sir, just as well."

Was ever such a dismal day?
Unlucky cur, he steals away,
And leaves me, half bereft of life,
At mercy of the butcher's knife;
When sudden, shouting from afar,
See his antagonist appear!

The bailiff seiz'd him quick as thought
"Ho, Mr. Scoundrel! are you caught?
Sir, you are witness to th' arrest."

Aye marry, sir, I'll do my best."”

The mob huzzas. Away they trudge,
Culprit and all, before the judge.
Meanwhile I luckily enough
(Thanks to Apollo) got clear off.

ADDRESSED TO MISS

ON READING

THE PRAYER FOR INDIFFERENCE.

[1762.*]

AND dwells there in a female heart,
By bounteous heav'n design'd
The choicest raptures to impart,
To feel the most refin'd-

Dwells there a wish in such a breast

Its nature to forego

To smother in ignoble rest

At once both bliss and wo!

Far be the thought, and far the strain,
Which breathes the low desire,
How sweet soe'er the verse complain,
Though Phœbus string the lyre.

Come then, fair maid, (in nature wise)
Who, knowing them, can tell
From gen'rous sympathy what joys
The glowing bosom swell.

In justice to the various pow'rs
Of pleasing, which you share,
Join me, amid your silent hours,
To form the better pray'r.

For Mrs. Greville's Ode, see Annual Register, vol. v p 202.