THE FATE OF ACT.EOX. 84 



The eating- up a man is common 



Enough^ by horse, or hound, or woman -, 



Or even in some situations, 



By his own friends and dear relations ; 



But still the phrase the fact transgresses. 



When in such terms ^' a smash " expressed is— 



Enoug'h to prove on what allegory 



The ancients pitched so strong- a story. 



Be as it may — quite eaten up. 



Or only out of house and home 

 By friends who stop to dine and sup, 



Still to this point at last we come : — 

 Do what you will — fight, drink, or play, 



Your fortune somehow to get through ; 

 Spend it the most immoral wa}'. 



There always is a moral too. 



When in the next new comedy 



The scampish character comes on. 

 With swaggering air and manner free, 



That on the stage must pass for ton ; 

 When the father gives his glad consent 



For Scamp to take Sophia in marriage, 

 And tells to his friend the great event. 



And how the suitor keeps his carriage : 

 Mark, then, that friend with wary eye, 



Give out this well worn, honoured whim — 

 *' Sir David, hark, 'twixt you and I, 



The carriage 'tis that's keeping him." 



So gentlemen all, with incomes but small, 

 Who don't want to fall, or a'o to the wall, 



