Page:Halleck.djvu/306

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
274
A MODEST LETTER.

’Twas natural that I should take a
Particular interest in it, Sir,
For I’ve been agent at Jamaica,
And he a foreign minister.

You say you’ve marked my course of late,
And mean to make what I’ve been doing
A means of breaking up the State,
And bringing on our party’s ruin.

With all who’ve known your scoundrel tricks,
Since first you came to curse the nation,
The Lucifer of politics,
You disappoint no expectation.”

It suits your mean and grovelling spirit
Thus to attack great men like me;
You slander only chiefs of merit,
Stars in our country’s galaxy!

Elijah, when his task was done,
His mantle o’er Elisha threw;
Now I’m my father’s eldest son,
And heir to all his talents too.

We’re proud to say, the world well knows
You never liked our family;