92
The TWO THIEVES,
Or the last Stage of AVARICE.
Oh now that the genius of Bewick were mine
And the skill which he learn'd on the Banks of the Tyne;
When the Muses might deal with me just as they chose
For I'd take my last leave both of verse and of prose.
What feats would I work with my magical hand!
Book-learning and books should be banish'd the land
And for hunger and thirst and such troublesome calls
Every ale-house should then have a feast on its walls.
