Maou

}

But now another scene succeeds,
The pledge is turn'd from glitt'ring beads
To mortgages and title-deeds;
The short-liv'd search of ready-rhino
By imps of Loo or of Cassino;
Or to stop short a lawyer's threats,
And dunning for a tradesman's debts;
These yield to frightful views of ruin,
Which threaten absolute undoing;
That grasp at family estates

Of honour'd name and ancient dates,
And hasten on the heirs in fee

To gallop fast to beggary.

QUE GENUS, was brimful of zeal
To seize each turn of Fortune's wheel,
And eager to fulfil his plan

Of rising to a gentleman:

But though gold roll'd beneath his eye,
Though fees were paid and bribes were high,
His heart, which had not lost its feeling,
Shrunk from the base, remorseless dealing,
That gloating avarice employ'd
O'er the rich ruins it enjoy'd.

While, therefore, some kind, gen'rous sense
His heart felt of benevolence,
And ere of honour quite bereft,
He the rapacious LEVI left,
In hope he might obtain a place
He should not think as a disgrace;
Nor of success had he to fear
From VALCOUR's written character;
Where all his virtues were pourtray'd,
In such a view that he was made
In every domestic sense

A

paragon of excellence.

But sad to tell, it was not long
Before temptations, more than strong,
Were urg'd by a kind, zealous friend,
Who us'd on bus'ness to attend
Old LEVI'S Levees: He display'd
In artful whisper, the sure trade,
Which, manag'd as he could define,
Would shortly prove a golden mine.
"Think not," he said, " that I am canting;
Money, my friend, is all that's wanting.
A certain sum could I command,
I soon would purchase house and land.
Ere a short time had onward run,
I would strut forth a BUCK OF TON;
The world, with its dull pride, defy,
And jostle fools of quality."

QUA GENUS felt his brooding plan To be a finish'd Gentleman, At that same word his spirit started, And instantly he grew great hearted. "Your scheme," he said, "at once explain : If gainful, you shall share the gain." "But hear me out," it was replied, "And then you will be satisfied. Know, you must an assistant be At a club's gaming revelry.

O check, I pray, your staring eyes,
From looking on me with surprise;
Let not the scheme I offer freeze you,
Hear, and then do as it may please you!
Think not I would your hand entice
To deal the card or shake the dice;
You must employ a knowing friend,
And such a one I can commend;