[1] This expression is taken from Milton's song on May Morning, to which this stanza in general alludes, and the 4th verse in the next.
[3] The poem of Curactacus was read in Ms. by the late Earl of Chatham, who honoured it with an approbation which the author is here proud to record.
[4] See Ode to the Naval Officers of Great Britain, written 1779.
[6] in allusion to a fine and well-known passage in MILTON's Lycidas.
[7] Messrs. JENKINSON, ROBINSON, DUNDAS, &c. &c.
LANSDOWNE. While on the Treasury-Bench you, PITT, recline, And make men wonder at each vast design; I, hapless man, my harsher fate deplore, Ordain'd to view the regal face no more; That face which erst on me with rapture glow'd, 5 And smiles responsive to my smiles bestow'd: But now the Court I leave, my native home, "A banish'd man, condemn'd in woods to roam;" While you to senates, BRUNSWICK's mandates give, And teach white-wands to chaunt his high prerogative. 10
PITT. Oh! LANSDOWNE, 'twas a more than mortal pow'r My fate controul'd, in that auspicious hour, When TEMPLE deign'd the dread decree to bring, And stammer'd out the _Firmaun_ of the King: That power I'll worship as my houshold god, 15 Shrink at his frown, and bow beneath his nod; At every feast his presence I'll invoke, For him my kitchen fires shall ever smoke; Not mighty HASTINGS, whose illustrious breath Can bid a RAJAH live, or give him death, 20 Though back'd by SCOTT, by BARWELL, PALK, and all The sable squadron scowling from BENGAL; Not the bold Chieftain of the tribe of PHIPPS, Whose head is scarce less handsome than his ship's; Not bare-breech'd GRAHAM, nor bare-witted ROSE, 25 Nor the GREAT LAWYER with the LITTLE NOSE; Not even VILLIERS' self shall welcome be, To dine so oft, or dine so well as he.
LANSDOWNE. Think not these sighs denote one thought unkind, Wonder, not Envy, occupies my mind; 30 For well I wot on that unhappy day, When BRITAIN mourn'd an empire giv'n away; When rude impeachments menaced from afar, And what gave peace to FRANCE--to us was war; For awful vengeance Heav'n appeared to call, 35 And agonizing Nature mark'd our fall. Dire change! DUNDAS's cheek with blushes glow'd, GRENVILLE was dumb, MAHON no phrenzy show'd; Though DRAKE harrangu'd, no slumber GILBERT fear'd, And MULGRAVE's mouth like other mouths appear'd; 40 In vain had BELLAMY prepar'd the meat; In vain the porter; BAMBER could not eat; When BURKE arose no yell the curs began, And ROLLE, for once, half seem'd a gentleman: Then name this god, for to St. JAMES's Court, 45 Nor gods nor angels often make resort.