While Genius sketched, and Humour grouped, Saddened with laughter, wasted with a sneer, And the long minuet shortened its career. Who then their timid steps shall dare arrest? White wands shall guide them and gold sticks support. In vain-these eyes, with tears of horror wet, ADDRESS TO THE ALPHABET. Anonymous. I WONDER, O Alphabet, what could have been As matters now stand, or in sorrow or joy, Almost all that affects, those who read must agree, The news that delights, the commands that employ, We gain at thy hands, potent, famed A BC. A B C, mind, I take as the name of the firm, With Alphabet mostly synonymous view'd. What different amusements, and studies, and ways, Must needs have been sought, if we could not have had Novels, histories, newspapers, poems, and plays. They little foresaw, who first call'd for your use, By their labours in prose, or their frolics in rhymes; Or would it have burst forth in actions instead? The mischief you've done, as I cannot now write, I will not approach at this time of the night, Though Liberty's interests by you may prevail, Has doom'd many hundreds to languish in gaol. How the savage must stare, in the world's ruder state, At the part play'd by you, when he suddenly found, While conference joining, or eager debate, 'Twas your's to arrest, and to shape reduce sound, To be carried o'er oceans! It scarcely could seem, Had thunder acknowledg'd a mortal command, More strange, or had lightning submitted its gleam To be carried away in the pocket or hand. How mighty the change, could you now be withdrawn! If no journal could issue the following dawn, While patriots and loyal petitioners low, Would be laid, in a moment, if you were away. Were this beneficial?-Hang me, if I know! Much wisdom you furnish; but, 'twixt you and me, You give too of folly so boundless a flow, That, seeking the former, we're wholly at sea; And falsehood so soberly imitates truth, As nonsense will, frequently, clearness of head, That, seeking for knowledge, too credulous youth Become worse than ignorant, being misled. What your true value, then, I am puzzled to tell; Or whether most good or most harm you have done; And, being uncertain, perhaps 'tis as well To finish my musings just where they begun. But, dear A B C, think not hostile my lay; In spite of misgivings, attach'd to you still, A sword of defence I would not throw away, Because an assassin may use it to kill. Takings, or the Life of a Collegian. THE END. SHACKELL AND ARROWSMITH, JOHNSON'S COURT, FLEET-STREET, |