Page:Paul Clifford Vol 3.djvu/67

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Some kings their wealth from their subjects wring,

While by their foes they the poorer wax;

Free go the men of the wise wood-king,

And it is only our foes we tax.

Leave the cheats of trade to the shrewd gude-wife:

Let the old be knaves at ease;

Away with the tide of that dashing life

Which is stirred by a constant breeze!

Laugh with us when you hear deceiving

And solemn rogues tell you what knaves we be;

Commerce and law have a method of thieving

Worse than a stand at the outlaw's tree.

Say, will the maiden we love despise

Gallants at least to each other true?

I grant that we trample on legal ties,

But I have heard that Love scorns them too.

Courage then, courage, ye jolly boys,

Whom the fool with the knavish rates;

Oh! who that is loved by the world enjoys

Half as much as the man it hates!

"Bravissimo! Ned," cried Tomlinson, rapping the table—"bravissimo! your voice is superb to-night, and your song admirable. Really, Lovett, it does your poetical genius great credit; quite philosophical, upon my honour."

"Bravissimo!" said Mac Grawler, nodding his head awfully. "Mr. Pepper's voice is as sweet