VERSES ON THE ANTICIPATED MARRIAGE 147 



In accordance with custom, the aspirants to the 

 Laureateship rushed into verse on the occasion ; ^ 

 indeed, his lordship furnished matter for their muse 

 not only on this occasion but for many a year after. 



The return of Selwyn to England naturally created 

 a hiatus in the March-Selwyn correspondence, which 

 for the next few years does not amount (among those 

 previously published) to more than three letters. Of 

 these the period of two is difficult to fix, for the};^ are 

 undated. Probably the one headed Wakefield ^ refers 



^ * Say, Jockey Lord, adventurous Macaroni, 



So spruce, so old, so dapper, stiff, and starch, 

 Why quit the amble of thy pacing pony ? 

 Why on a filly risk the name of March ? 



' Consult the equestrian bard, wise Chiron Beever, 



Or Dr. Hebers' learned sybil leaves, 

 And they, true members of the savoir-vivre, 



Will tell the wondrous things that love receives. 



' Why in the spavin of your days, sweet sir, 

 Attempt to draw on Cupid\s little boot ? 

 Let Jockey Grosvenor's fate, alas ! deter ; 

 Ah ! think, Newmarket Lord, what things may sprout ! 



' Stick to the Jockey Club, attend your bard ; 



Nor ever think of dancing love's cotillon. 

 For Ligonier, who galloped quite as hard. 

 Was doubly distanced by his own postillion. ' 



- Appendix B 2. 



* Two verses omitted here. 



