II. The angels all were singing out of tune, Or curb a runaway young star or two, Or wild colt of a comet, which too soon Broke out of bounds o'er the ethereal blue, III. The guardian seraphs had retired on high, Save the recording angel's black bureau; IV. His business so augmented of late years, That he was forced, against his will, no doubt, (Just like those cherubs, earthly ministers,) For some resource to turn himself about, And claim the help of his celestial peers, To aid him ere he should be quite worn out By the increased demand for his remarks; Six angels and twelve saints were named his clerks. V. This was a handsome board-at least for heaven; Till at the crowning carnage, Waterloo, VI. This by the way; 'tis not mine to record So surfeited with the infernal revel; Though he himself had sharpen'd every sword, VII. Let's skip a few short years of hollow peace, With nothing but new names subscribed upon 't; "Twill one day finish: meantime they increase, "With seven heads and ten horns," and all in front, Like Saint John's foretold beast; but ours are born Less formidable in the head than horn. For these things may be bought at their true worth : Bought also; and the torches, cloaks, and banners, * These passages, and others subsequently omitted, will be found in the Appendix. X Form'd a sepulchral melo-drame. Of all Made the attraction, and the black the wo. There throbb'd not there a thought which pierced the pall; And when the gorgeous coffin was laid low, It seem'd the mockery of hell to fold The rottenness of eighty years in gold. XI. So mix his body with the dust! It might The natural compound left alone to fight Its way back into earth, and fire, and air; But the unnatural balsams merely blight What nature made him at his birth, as bare As the mere million's base unmummied clayYet all his spices but prolong decay. |