1832.] Parliamentary Pastorals. 209 



No. II. BY THE DAMON OF NEWCASTLE. 



MY Boroughs are furnished with tools, 



The best, and most willing of slaves ; 

 If the world does not take them for fools, 



It is not the less sure they are knaves, 

 Not a man who would do as I pleased, 



If my bidding were flagrant or fair, 

 But with joy on his person I seized, 



And I hastened and settled him there. 



Though he looked very gravely and wise, 



And spoke very learned and fine, 

 Yet his speech was a trap to catch flies, 



For his principles always were mine. 

 When he rose in the House to impart 



His reasons persuasive and terse, 

 Though he pressed both his hands to his heart, 



His argument lay in his purse. 



But I always took very good care, 



That my votes were not given away ; 

 Like the jackall, I looked for a share, 



While the lion was gorging his prey. 

 For the minister had at command 



Nice pickings, as much as one wishes ; 

 And always allowed me a hand, 



In the share of the " loaves and the fishes." 



I had always some snug little berth, 



For my uncle, or cousin, or brother ; 

 And I knew what each sinecure's worth, 



When I pensioned my sister or mother. 

 But I fear the Reformers will take 



Without scruple the whole of my gains ; 

 And my heart feels as if it would break, 



Though I've long been concealing my " panes." 

 Are not Boroughs most excellent things ! 



Do not all our " great interests" share 'em ! 

 Is not talent hatched under the wings 



Of Gatton, and Haddon, and Sarum ! 

 Though it may be as newspapers say, 



One's a wall nearly down to the ground ; 

 And the eggs it is likely to lay, 



May be not, like itself, very sound. 



Lord Grey must indeed be as mad 



As the mob he incites to rebel, 

 If he knows not that, though it be bad, 



The " System" still works very well. 

 And how shameful to sweep from the nation 



Those customs so old and divine ; 

 By a change in the representation, 



And a downfall of all that is mine. 



But a struggle shall firmly be made, 



And " the Church is in danger" we'll swear ; 

 (Though, I must say, I'm far more afraid 



That my Boroughs are doomed to despair.) 

 'Tis unjust to give up to the crowd, 



What we have a right to alone ; 

 And a shame if we are not allowed 



To do what we like with our own ! 

 M.M. New Series. VOL. XIII. No. 74. P 



