Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/78

68 Nor hope the British lineaments to trace, The rustic grandeur, or the surly grace: But, lost in thoughtless ease and empty show, Behold the warrior dwindled to a beau; Sense, freedom, piety, refin'd away— Of France the mimic, and of Spain the prey.
 * 'All that at home no more can beg or steal,

Or like a gibbet better than a wheel; Hiss'd from the stage, or hooted from the court, Their air, their dress, their politics import; Obsequious, artful, voluble and gay, On Britain’s fond credulity they prey. No gainful trade their industry can ’scape: They sing, they dance, clean shoes, or cure a clap. All sciences a fasting monsieur knows; And bid him go to hell, to hell he goes. Ah! what avails it, that, from slav'ry far, I drew the breath of life in English air; Was early taught a Briton’s right to prize, And lisp the tale of Henry’s victories; If the gull'd conqueror receives the chain, And flattery subdues when arms are vain?