[Illustration: "O, et praesidium, et dulce decus."--HOR Lib. i. Ode i.]


Here note, if humourists by trade
On waistcoat had the shoe displayed,
Lampoon's sour spirit might be laid,
And cease its spiteful railing.
Whether the humour chanced to be
Joke, pun, quaint ballad, repartee,
Slang, or bad spelling, we should see
Good humour still prevailing.

And oh! if Equity, as well
As Nisi Prius, would not sell
_Reason's perfection_ ever
To wrangling suitors _sans_ horse-shoe,
Lawyers would soon have nought to do,
Their subtle efforts ceasing too,
Reason from right to sever.

While Meux the symbol wears, _tant mieux_,
Repelling sinful aid to brew
His liquid strains XX;
Still, I advise, strong drinks beware,
No horse-shoe thwarts the devil there,
Or demon-mischief checks.

And let me rede you, Mr. Barry,
Not all your arms of John, Dick, Harry,