Ladies! the _stags_ (as wise men say) Change _horns_ but _once_ a-year: Whereas _your_ stags change _ev'ry day_, As plainly does appear.
Some men _brush_ on, and some _brush_ off, And some _brush_ out of sight! While _Grieves's[25] brush_ makes thousands _rush_ To see it every night.
[25] The eminent talents of this distinguished artist have been for a series of years displayed in the beautiful scenery produced at Covent Garden Theatre.
If on this pedestal we see Our great _Achilles_ and Protector, Why then the inference must be, He whom he vanquished was a _Hector_.
_On reading that Madame Fodor had endangered her life by drinking vinegar to reduce her shape._
Against Fodor's existence, it may truly be said, That custom has raised an unnatural strife; For if she gets _fat_--she loses her _bread_; And if she gets _thin_--she loses her _life_.
_On seeing Mrs. Siddons at Covent-Garden Theatre, on the first night of the appearance of Miss Dance._
Piozzi, when eighty, at a dance led the first, But she was mirth's votary through life's pleasant trance, And though fame knows not age, yet our wonder is just, Where _Melpomene's_ self comes to welcome the _Dance_.
_On seeing Miss Foote in the part of Ariel, so exquisitely played by Miss Tree._
Where's Ariel? that is, where is _Tree_? Whose voice and form so truly suit in't; Surely the public must agree, The Manager has put his _Foot_ in't.
_On the Commons passing the Catholic Bill one day, and on the next throwing out a Toll for passing Blackfriars Bridge._
England's friendly to all, let folks say what they will, From Gentile, or Jew, she ne'er was a rover; Her _Commons_ first passed the Catholic Bill, And the very next day vote for the _Pass over_.
_On reading that Captain Parry embarked on board the "Fury" Discovery Ship early in Passion Week._
Parry's _rage_ for discovery exceeds all, no doubt, For both captain and crew in a _Fury_ set out; But still some excuse will appear for this freak, When we learn the affair took place in _Passion_ week.
_On reading in the Paper a supposition that Shakspeare was lame._
That Shakspeare was _lame_, from his sonnets you'd gain, But _halt_ ere such men with _weakness_ you're branding; An abler _hand_ never guided a pen, And his works plainly show he'd a strong _understanding_.