Page:The poetical works of Leigh Hunt, containing many pieces now first collected 1849.djvu/130

No fault had Miss Ferrier to find with her lot;
She was hail'd by the god as the "lauded of Scott."

"Mrs. Gore." Phœbus open'd his arms, with a face,
In the gladness of which was the coming embrace.
"For her satire," he said, "wasn't evil, a bit;
But as full of good heart, as of spirits and wit;
Only somewhat he found, now and then, which dilated
A little too much on the fashions it rated,
And heaps of 'Polite Conversation' so true,
That he, once, really wish'd the three volumes were two;
But not when she dwelt upon daughters or mothers;
Oh, then the three made him quite long for three others;
And poor 'Mrs. Armytage,' warning exaction,
Sits arm-chair'd for ever, a dread petrifaction.
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$Then how much good reading! what fit flowing words!
What enjoyment, whether midst houses or herds!
'Twas the thinking of men with the lightness of birds!"

Never prais'd be prose-love in a style so poetic.—
Then he kiss'd Mrs. Gillies by right sympathetic,
And somebody smiling, and looking askance,
He said, "Honi soit, my friend, qui mal y pense;
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$What in gods is a right and confirms a good fame,
Were in you a presumption. The same's not the same."
\And with this profound speech, and a bow to the dame
(Whom he thank' d for 'Cleone' and 'Gentile and Jew',
And for other things far more didactic and blue,
But advis'd, for the future, to preach reformation
With all of her sweets, and no exacerbation)
He rais'd Mrs. Hall from her rev'rence profound,
Saying, "Nonsense, my dear; clasp me honestly round:—