CANTO FOURTH

THE SALON

CANTO FOURTH

THE SALON

I know the gentleman:

I saw him yesterday, or t'other day,

Or then, or then; with such, or such-and, as you say,

'Tis midnight-just the hour to introduce you

Into the loftier sphere of the SALON:

You may see thousands lost, and, as you chuse, you

Can play at Rouge et Noir or shake the bone:

But don't suppose, you inexperienced goose you!

That any one can stumble in alone:

You must be here presented quite in state, sir

Heaven bless your soul—a marquis is head waiter! (8)

II

These rooms with counts and exquisites o'erflow,
Whose lofty glances really go thro' you:
And 'tis more reputable much to go

"The road to ruin" with a lord or two, you
Of course feel sensible-Peers! Marshals! so
They make it quite a compliment to do you;
And give, beside, to prove they can't be winners,
Flash suppers every night, and weekly dinners.

III

We raise a cry 'bout taxes and poor rates;
And talk of burthens-but it must be talk;

For heavy purses (rents from racked estates
That lie I shan't say where, lest it might shock)
Come hither-sweated first at old Lafitte's-
As regular as Jews transfer their stock:

Nor could our own Exchange produce more bucks
Who run aground, and waddle off “ lame ducks.”

IV

And faith! if I had but the gift of satire,

I scarce could ask a prettier chance than this
To lend the lash! but I had rather flatter

When certain sort of people do amiss :
I've said before 'tis shame, without a tatter
To tell the naked truth-as so it is;

Beside, in proper hues were I to show 'em,
They would not buy one copy of my poem.

V

Therefore I dare not say the world of good
This wealth had done, spent in their native soil,
Where hungry infants beg a little food,

And fainting wretches sue-for leave to toil!
Where all that can be spared, in mercy should;
And where, while thus they waste the golden spoil,
Calm, decent pride denies one murmur vent-

But ah, the pallid cheek is eloquent!