AN INTERVIEW. 487 



death, from a vague expectation that there is something terrible both 

 in the one and the other. But the hour of trial dissipates the illu- 

 sion : a few sobs, and forgetfulness steals over us, and we are for 

 ever freed from mortal bondage. 



AN INTERVIEW. 



SCENE THE EDITOR S LIBRARY. 



Mr. Editor ! " Sir." Pray excuse me this freedom, 



But on matters of moment one mustn't be nice, 

 I Ve an art " We're o'erstocked, Sir, we really don't need 'em." 



Pardonnez, I '11 state my request in a trice. 

 I 'm a young man of talent " Indeed ! I don't doubt it, 



But there's no situation at present." Pray hear, 

 There's an article " We'll make enquiries about it, 



If it suits our design, it shall shortly appear." 



Oblige me by saying " Time 's really so pressing, 



And the printer's diaboli wait me below ; 

 Could you call " 1 shall call it extremely distressing 



If before you have heard my request, Sir, you go. 

 "' Then be brief, Sir." As brief as your notice " Rejected ! " 



(A metaphor this which you ne'er met afore,) 

 When some wretch, cacoethe scribendi infected, 



Has copied and sent you a page of Tom Moore. 



" Now pray, Sir," One moment, I will not detain you, 



But your known affability courtesy taste 

 Discretion I 'm sorry to think that I pain you 

 And candour you see I am making all haste 

 Embolden me further (to use the expression) 



To make a request " In two moments I go." 



I shall not keep you one which excuse the digression, 



But - " Oblige me by handing me down my chapeau." 



With pleasure. Allow me to ask who 's your hatter, 



Its weight is a feather, its tournure divine, 

 'Pon honour I 'm serious, I never do flatter ; 



But you're eager to come to this matter of mine. 

 The fact is I hate a narrator who garbles 



His story " Good day ! like to look at the Times ? " 



What ! he 's gone, in good earnest cartloads of diable.s ! 



I was going to ask him to print me these rhymes. 



VIGINTI. 



