And, sixthly, for my soul to barter it You had good reason when you stole 'em. VERSES ON THE REVIVAL OF THE ORDER OF THE BATH, DURING WALPOLE'S ADMINISTRATION, A. D. 1724. BY AN UNKNOWN HAND. † QUOTH King Robin, our ribbons I see are too few Of St Andrew's the green, and St George's the blue. I must find out another of colour more gay, That will teach all my subjects with pride to obey. Tho' the exchequer be drained by prodigal donors, Yet the king ne'er exhausted his fountain of ho nours. Men of more wit than money our pensions will fit, And this will fit men of more money than wit. Thus my subjects with pleasure will obey my com. mands, Though as empty as Younge, and as saucy as Sandes. * Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. + These verses were communicated by the kindness of Dr Bar. rett, from a copy in his father's hand-writing. The subject and stile authorize the tradition which ascribes them to Swift. And he who'll leap over a stick for the king, EPIGRAM ON WOOD'S BRASS MONEY. CARTERET was welcomed to the shore But when Wood's brass began to sound, A SIMILE ON OUR WANT OF SILVER. AND THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY IT. 1725. As when of old some sorceress threw The cymbals' rattling sounds dispel So (if my simile you minded, That sound will make the parchment shrivel, Our silver will appear again. WOOD AN INSECT. 1725. By long observation I have understood, The Duchess of Kendal, who was to have a share of Wood's profits. + Sir Robert Walpole, nick-named Sir Robert Brass. The first is an insect they call a wood-louse, The next is an insect we call a wood-worm, That lies in old wood like a hare in her form; With teeth or with claws it will bite or will scratch, And chambermaids christen this worm a deathwatch; Because like a watch it always cries click; Then woe be to those in the house who are sick: For, as sure as a gun, they will give up the ghost, If the maggot cries click when it scratches the post, But a kettle of scalding hot-water injected Infallibly cures the timber affected; The omen is broken, the danger is over; The maggot will die, and the sick will recover. Such a worm was Will Wood, when he scratch'd at the door Of a governing statesman or favourite whore'; But now, since the Drapier has heartily maul'd him, For our fear's at an end with the death of the maggot. PROMETHEUS, ON WOOD THE PATENTEE'S IRISh halfpence. 1724. I. As when the squire and tinker Wood Together mingled in a mass Smith's dust, and copper, lead, and brass; United close in ev'ry part, In fillets roll'd, or cut in pieces, *Counterfeit halfpence.-F. + See an account of Wood's project in the Drapier's Letters.-N. |