Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/375

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ENGLISH BARDS, AND SCOTCH REVIEWERS.
333

Bred in the Courts betimes, though all that law
As yet hath taught him is to find a flaw,—
Since well instructed in the patriot school
To rail at party, though a party tool—
Who knows? if chance his patrons should restore450
Back to the sway they forfeited before,
His scribbling toils some recompense may meet,
And raise this Daniel to the Judgment-Seat.[1]
Let Jeffrey's shade indulge the pious hope,
And greeting thus, present him with a rope:
"Heir to my virtues! man of equal mind!
Skilled to condemn as to traduce mankind,
This cord receive! for thee reserved with care,
To wield in judgment, and at length to wear."


Health to great Jeffrey! Heaven preserve his life,
To flourish on the fertile shores of Fife,461
And guard it sacred in its future wars,
Since authors sometimes seek the field of Mars!
Can none remember that eventful day,[2][3]
That ever-glorious, almost fatal fray,
When Little's leadless pistol met his eye,[4]

And Bow-street Myrmidons stood laughing by?
  1. "Too ferocious—this is mere insanity."—B., 1816. [The comment applies to lines 432-453.]
  2. —— Yes, I'm sure all may.—[Quarto Proof Sheet.]
  3. "All this is bad, because personal."—B., 1816.
  4. In 1806, Messrs. Jeffrey and Moore met at Chalk Farm. The duel was prevented by the interference of the