GRANTA. A MEDLEY.
57
2.
Then would, unroof'd, old Granta's halls,
Pedantic inmates full display;
Fellows who dream on lawn or stalls,
The price of venal votes to pay.[1]
3.
Then would I view each rival wight,
Petty and Palmerston survey;
Who canvass there, with all their might,[2]
Against the next elective day.[3]
4.
Lo! candidates and voters lie[4]
All lull'd in sleep, a goodly number!
A race renown'd for piety,
Whose conscience won't disturb their slumber.
5.
Lord H——,[5] indeed, may not demur;
Fellows are sage, reflecting men:
They know preferment can occur,
But very seldom,—now and then.
- ↑ The price of hireling.—[4to]
- ↑ Who canvass now.—[4to]
- ↑ [On the death of Pitt, in January, 1806, Lord Henry Petty beat Lord Palmerston in the contest for the representation of the University of Cambridge in Parliament.]
- ↑ One on his power and place depends,
The other on—the Lord knows what!
Each to some eloquence pretends,
But neither will convince by that.
The first, indeed, may not demur;
Fellows are sage reflecting men, etc.
And know.—[4to. P. on V. Occasions.] - ↑ [Probably Lord Henry Petty. See variant iii.]
