Ink.Excuse me, I was;
But the heat forced me out in the best part—alas!
And when—
Lady Blueb. To be sure it was broiling; but then
You have lost such a lecture!
Both.The best of the ten.
Tra. How can you know that? there are two more.
Both.Because
I defy him to beat this day's wondrous applause.
The very walls shook.
Ink.Oh, if that be the test,40
I allow our friend Scamp has this day done his best.
Miss Lilac, permit me to help you;—a wing?
Miss Lil. No more, sir, I thank you. Who lectures next spring?
Both. Dick Dunder.
Ink.That is, if he lives.
Miss Lil.And why not?
Ink. No reason whatever, save that he's a sot.
Lady Bluemount! a glass of Madeira?
Lady Bluem.With pleasure.
Ink. How does your friend Wordswords, that Windermere treasure?
Does he stick to his lakes, like the leeches he sings,[1]
And their gatherers, as Homer sung warriors and kings?
Lady Bluem. He has just got a place.[2]
Ink.As a footman?
Lady Bluem.For shame!
Nor profane with your sneers so poetic a name.51
Ink. Nay, I meant him no evil, but pitied his master;
For the poet of pedlers 'twere, sure, no disaster
To wear a new livery; the more, as 'tis not
The first time he has turned both his creed and his coat.
- ↑ [Wordsworth's Resolution and Independence, originally entitled The Leech-gatherer, was written in 1802, and published in 1807.]
- ↑ [Wordsworth was appointed Distributor of Stamps for the County of Westmoreland, in March. 1813. Lord Lonsdale and Sir George Beaumont were "suretys for the due execution of the trust."—Life of William Wordsworth, by William Knight, 1889. ii. 210.]
