2
THE ROSCIAD.
We form our judgment in another way; 15
And they will best succeed, who best can pay:
Those who would gain the votes of British tribes,
Must add to force of merit, force of bribes.
And they will best succeed, who best can pay:
Those who would gain the votes of British tribes,
Must add to force of merit, force of bribes.
What can an actor give? in ev'ry age
Cash hath been rudely banish'd from the stage; 20
Monarchs themselves to grief of ev'ry play'r,
Appear as often as their image there:
They can't, like candidate for other seat,
Pour seas of wine, and mountains raise of meat.
Wine! they could bribe you with the world as soon; 25
And of roast beef, they only know the tune.
But what they have they give; could Clive do more,
Though for one million he had brought home four?
Cash hath been rudely banish'd from the stage; 20
Monarchs themselves to grief of ev'ry play'r,
Appear as often as their image there:
They can't, like candidate for other seat,
Pour seas of wine, and mountains raise of meat.
Wine! they could bribe you with the world as soon; 25
And of roast beef, they only know the tune.
But what they have they give; could Clive do more,
Though for one million he had brought home four?
S———r keeps open house at Southwark fair,
And hopes the friends of humour will be there. 30
In Smithfield, Y———s prepares the rival treat,
For those who laughter love instead of meat.
F—te, at Old House, for even F—te will be
In self-conceit an actor) bribes with tea;
Which W—k—s–n at second hand receives, 35
And at the New pours water on the leaves.
And hopes the friends of humour will be there. 30
In Smithfield, Y———s prepares the rival treat,
For those who laughter love instead of meat.
F—te, at Old House, for even F—te will be
In self-conceit an actor) bribes with tea;
Which W—k—s–n at second hand receives, 35
And at the New pours water on the leaves.
The Town divided, each runs sev'ral ways,
As passion, humour, int'rest, party sways.
As passion, humour, int'rest, party sways.
