Page images
PDF
EPUB

CII.

What "Antres vast and desarts idle," then

Would be discover'd in the human soul!

What Icebergs in the hearts of mighty men,
With Self-love in the centre as their Pole!

What Anthropophagi is nine of ten

Of those who hold the kingdoms in controul! Were things but only call'd by their right name, Cæsar himself would be ashamed of Fame.

END OF THE FOURTEENTH CANTO.

NOTES TO CANTO XIV.

Note 1, page 131, stanza xxxiii.

And never craned, and made but few faux pas.

Craning." To crane" is, or was, an expression used to denote a Gentleman's stretching out his neck over a hedge, "to look before he leaped:"-a pause in his “ vaulting ambition," which in the field doth occasion some delay and execration in those who may be immediately behind the equestrian sceptic." Sir, if you don't choose to take the lead, let me "—was a phrase which generally sent the aspirant on again; and to good purpose: for though "the horse and rider" might fall, they made a gap, through which, and over him and his steed, the field might follow.,

Note 2, page 139, stanza xlviii.

Go to the coffee-house, and take another.

In Swift's or Horace Walpole's letters I think it is mentioned, that somebody regretting the loss of a friend, was answered by an universal Pylades : “When I lose one, I go to the Saint James's Coffee-house, and take another."

I recollect having heard an anecdote of the same kind. Sir W. D. was a great gamester. Coming in one day to the

club of which he was a member, he was observed to look melancholy. "What is the matter, Sir William?" cried Hare of facetious memory. "Ah!" replied Sir W. "I have "Lost! What at-Quinze or

just lost poor Lady D."

Hazard?" was the consolatory rejoinder of the querist.

Note 3, page 144, stanza lix.

And I refer you to wise Oxenstiern.

The famous Chancellor Oxenstiern said to his son, on the latter expressing his surprise upon the great effects arising from petty causes in the presumed mystery of politics: "You see by this, my son, with how little wisdom the kingdoms of the world are governed."

LONDON:

PRINTED BY C. H. REYNELL, BROAD STREET, GOLDEN SQUARE.

1

« PreviousContinue »