Classic Poem

Good Madam accept from an heart true and fervent,
The thanks of poor Lignum your much oblig'd servant;
Who, doom'd like his puppets, fans nappy to dine,
'Till bade by your presence, and bounty benign,
To quaff a full tankard of ale smooth and mellow,
Now topes to your health like a grateful poor fellow.

As Persians bow down to the bright god of day,
So all flock'd to see me when you led the way,
How happy then I cou'd my Punch but invite,
A smile from your lips, or a dimple excite,
The lawyers, forgetting quo minus, qui sam ,
Appear'd for the pauper, their fees but his flam;
The merchant, bills, drawbacks and exports apart,
Has smil'd, tho' unable to bafflle my art;
The fierce son of Mars, who has dastardly fled
From drums, blades and cannon, to live by his head,
So great was my skill that, neglecting lord Coke,
He laugh'd at Ratteen and enjoy'd the dull joke;
The doctor himself, e'en his bible forsaken,
With the feats of Tom Cheshire was mightily taken.

I hope none will think that their judgment I mock,
For a monarch ere now was amused by a clock;
And what is a clock but a bawble much high'r,
That moves on its wheels as my puppets on wire;
One solemnly tells you the hour of the day,
The other attempts to pass sorrow away;
Then catch at gay pleasure how humble its rise,
And laugh at dull folly tho' splendid its guise.
Reverse but the boys and the frogs in the fable,
If you have been teas'd, I've got food for my table.