RHYMES FOR THE TIMES—No. 4.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 579, 19 February 1851, Page 3

RHYMES FOR THE TIMES— No. 4.

THE DINNER.

“ You know your own degrees; sit down!" — Macbeth.

On Lambton-quay was revelry, the festive board was spread, ’Twas the parting of the Faction with their leader and their head, Snifford was there, he took the chair, the little COCKYBEE, Fagin, and Scouse, with others of less notoriety, Coabsette, the great Milesian, the old case-har-dened Screw, But though they muster’d all their strength, their numbers were but few: And still they screw'd their courage up, their object being quite plain, To do honor to their Leader, Fogs ! and join in this refrain: If our Association can only have its way, Sing glory to Tomfoolery; hoorray! hoorray! hoorray!

I {Having duly charg’d their glasses, the Chairman in | a speech i Fill’d with sundry common places, his hearers did | beseech ITo consider how consistent their Leader’s doings | were, — sllow he sacrific’d four hundred for a thousand pounds a-vear! ’• To such principles still steadfast, the same objects he intends, first to help himself, and then—to help his friends! And though leaving his adopted land, their Agent he’d remain, S Whereat the Faction greatly cheer’d, and join’d in S this refrain:

If our Association can only have its way, Sing glory to Tomfoolery; hoorray! hoorray! hoorray!

■Foos then address’d the meeting, and recall'd in quick review The history of bygone times to “ audience fit though few;” He felt mingled pain and pleasure in parting from them now, When he thought upon his sinecure a cloud came o’er his brow I No more compensation slices would gratify his friends, Nor quiet jobs to serve the snobs who sought their private ends. But a good time still was coming, and great would be their gain, When from Parliament he got their rights, while they join’d in this refrain: Now our Association at length has got its way, Sing glory to Tomfoolery; hoorray! hooray! hoorray!

B ; Coarsette address'd them next, and said, how to his great surprise :He’d Aiderman and Captain been, with other dignities ! ° ,He was not afraid of greatness,* but at fancy’s utmost stretch, COU M not te H what might befall—he might be- ■ ||| come Jack Ketch! K Th e l^ at * ves look’d askance at him, and view'd him s||||| w ’ ( l* strust ' - The bully and the demagogue they hold in deep Si disgust. light they made of Faction’s trade, why, | these were things of Spain, f l' fi ‘l pledge them in a bumper, while they join’d pW in this refrain: If our Association can only have its way, Sing glorv to Tomfoolery; hoorray! hooray! 1 hoorray!

Then Scouse arose, said he'd propose a toast they’d •| drink with glee, .'p.isl ’ I was Fiddlestone the duellist, but no placei: T hunter he! J °1 Constitutions, and, for one, he would J declare He 'd uever shirk his principles, if he knew what they were. I | The Milesian, too, harangued them in a desultory "„T._~ut it seems they were not proud to print what “he was proud to say; Cockybee reserv’d,ll we see, his uneffectual rlpgj fire, § I. ■ or his rule is, not to work except for 4 L hire - tn J a ded and dispirited they leave the board, again ■L ■* he J’ slowly pass the circling glass, and join in this refrain:

If our Association can only have its way, Sing glory to Tomfoolery; hoorray 1 hoorray hoorray I

The guests are gone, he’s left alone, the caudles dimly burn, From his late scene of revelry Fogs rises to return. He thinks he sees his Predecessor dimly shadow’d forth, How abject is Iris worthlessness, contrasted with his worth I ■Baffled, defeated, and disgrac'd, his motives seen quite through, The trading Patriot stands confess’d, as he bids his last adieu; , While from without there comes a shout, whose ! echoes turn his brain, [As the honest Settlers, one and all, burst forth in this refrain;*

The Patriot Fogs, like other dogs, at length has had his day; 5[ Away with his Tomfoolery; hoorray! hoorray! hoorray!