Classic Poem

Book IV. Ode I. To Venus

IMITATED IN THE CHARACTER OF AN EX-MINISTER .

T HOUGH long an intermitted Venus ,
You talk of new intrigues between us:
Ador'd Sedition , lov'd in vain,
Oh spare my age the tempting strain!
I'm not the man of potent worth,
As in the reign of good King North ;
My heart is tough — its flames are thrifty;
Your old Gallant is fat and fifty.
Go where his Kinsman courts thy charms,
And clasps thee in his youthful arms —
A noble and a decent Youth,
Enlighten'd in the cause of Truth,
Nor silent for the Culprit Felon, —
His neck and shoulders put the bell on!
A Youth of good and various parts,
Accomplish'd in a hundred arts.
The Rival bless'd, though Russell's gift
At B — — d H — se THY cap should lift;
But thou in brass of I — ll proof
Shalt honour my paternal roof.
Sedition there, and Whigs who drank her,
Shall domicile their Crown and Anchor;
There T 's Earl shall dance the Rescue ,
And M****'s Irish pipes burlesque you.
No more the Virgin Boy I see
Oppos'd with doubtful sex to me;
No more the Bacchanalian Harry
Shall tell me I had better marry;
No more I pass the lingering hours,
In W******'s maze, or C*****g's flowers.
But, iron T****** , tell me why
A tear has found the Patriot's eye? —
Whence the Sardonic smile on feeding,
And mute the Orator seceding?
Alas, in dreams again I chace,
Again the ravish'd Crown embrace,
Or stem with my opposing wit
The tide of Conquest and of Pitt .