Classic Poem

IN THE BY-STANDER .

Look fairly all the world around,
And, as you truth deliver,
Tell me what character is found
A real favoir vivie?

Who truly merits sober fame —
To find you need not wander,
None can detect life's fraudful game
So well as the By-stander.3

II

The lover cogs, and palms, and slips,
The easy fair to buffle,
And still to win that stake her lips,
Will deal, and cut, and shuffle:
Still will he ply each subtle art,
Till he has quite trapann'd her,
And then is sure to trump her heart,
If absent the By-stander.

III

Preferment is a bowling green,
Where, placed in each position,
Bowls jostling in and out are seen,
To reach the Jack ambition.
The bias int'rest still they try,
Twist, turn, and well meander,
Yet their manaeuvres, rub or fly,
Are known to the By-stander.

IV

The law's a game at whist, wherein
The parties nine are both in,
Where tricks alone the game can win,
And honours go for nothing;
And while they, a sure game to nick,
Their client's money squander,
Full many more than one odd trick
Discovers the By-stander.

V .

The coxcomb plays at shuttlecock,
The wit commands and questions,
The carping cits to commerce flock,
Each follows his suggestions.
Yet he alone who merits fame,
Who blunts the shafts of slander,
And on the square life's motley game
Best plays is the By-stander.