(Who's fit to be Fire King the Second?)

Captain EYRE MASSEY SHAW is a "Sovereign" indeed,
Abdicating? Alas! that too true is;
For he's a Fire King of a different breed
From the Monarch described by MONK LEWIS.

No mere King of Flames, fiery-faced _à la_ SKELT,
Inhabiting regions most torrid,
With a breath that is warranted copper to melt,
And eyes indescribably horrid.

He hath not a blazing Bardolphian nose,
He is not _flamboyant_ or furious;
His Crown's a brass helmet, his Sceptre a hose;
True Fire King,--all others are spurious.

For he rules the flames; he has done so for long;
And now that he talks of retiring,
Men mourn for the fire-queller cautious and strong,
Whose reign they've so long been admiring.

Clear-headed, cool Captain, great chief M.F.B.,
All London is sorry to lose you;
As kindly as kingly, from prejudice free;
No danger could daunt or confuse you.

As doffing your helmet, and dropping your hose,
You bid us farewell, we all own you
As one of Fiend Fire's most redoubtable foes;