Poetical Works | Page 8

against the portrait of "Pomposo:" the result had been, as always in such cases, a drawn battle; and damage would have accrued, not to the special literateurs, but to the general literary character. Prejudice or private pique always lurks at the bottom of such reckless assaults, and all men in the long run feel so. In Johnson's case, the causa belli was unquestionably political difference; and in Christopher North's it was the love of Scotland which so warmly glowed in his bosom, and which created a glow of hatred no less warm against Scotland's ablest, fiercest, and most inveterate poetical foe.
Churchill's poetry only requires to be better known to be highly appreciated for its masculine and thoroughly English qualities. In taking our leave of him, we are again haunted by the signal resemblance he bears, both in mental characteristics and in history, to Byron. Both were powerful in satire, and still more so in purely poetic composition. Both were irregular in life, and unfortunate in marriage. Both were distinguished by fitful generosity, and careless tenderness. Both obtained at once, and during all their career maintained, a pre-eminence in popularity over all their contemporaries. Both were severely handled by reviewers, and underrated by rivals. Both assumed an attitude of defiance to the world, and stood ostentatiously at bay. Both mingled largely in the politics of their day, and both took the liberal side. Both felt and expressed keen remorse for their errors, and purposed and in part began reformation. Both died at an untimely age by fever, and in a foreign land. The dust of both, not admitted into Westminster Abbey, nevertheless reposes in their native soil, and attracts daily visitors, who lean, and weep, and wonder over it--partly in sympathy with their fate--partly in pity for their errors--and partly in admiration of their genius.

NOTE.--We have not alluded to various anecdotes told about Churchill's journey to Wales, about his setting up as a cider merchant, &c., because some of them appear extremely apocryphal. The author of an article on him in the Edinburgh Review for January 1845 asserts that he was rejected from Oxford because he had already been married. But, if so, why was he admitted to Cambridge? Besides, the writer adduces no proof of his assertion. The paper, otherwise, is worthy of its author and of the poet.

CONTENTS.
THE ROSCIAD?THE APOLOGY?NIGHT?THE PROPHECY OF FAMINE?AN EPISTLE TO WILLIAM HOGARTH?THE DUELLIST?GOTHAM?THE AUTHOR?THE CONFERENCE?THE GHOST?THE CANDIDATE?THE FAREWELL?THE TIMES?INDEPENDENCE?THE JOURNEY?DEDICATION TO CHURCHILL'S SERMONS?LINES WRITTEN IN WINDSOR PARK

THE ROSCIAD.[1]
Unknowing and unknown, the hardy Muse?Boldly defies all mean and partial views;?With honest freedom plays the critic's part,?And praises, as she censures, from the heart.
Roscius[2] deceased, each high aspiring player?Push'd all his interest for the vacant chair.?The buskin'd heroes of the mimic stage?No longer whine in love, and rant in rage;?The monarch quits his throne, and condescends?Humbly to court the favour of his friends;?For pity's sake tells undeserved mishaps,?And, their applause to gain, recounts his claps.?Thus the victorious chiefs of ancient Rome,?To win the mob, a suppliant's form assume; 10 In pompous strain fight o'er the extinguish'd war,?And show where honour bled in every scar.?But though bare merit might in Rome appear?The strongest plea for favour, 'tis not here;?We form our judgment in another way;?And they will best succeed, who best can pay:?Those who would gain the votes of British tribes,?Must add to force of merit, force of bribes.
What can an actor give? In every age?Cash hath been rudely banish'd from the stage; 20 Monarchs themselves, to grief of every player,?Appear as often as their image there:?They can't, like candidate for other seat,?Pour seas of wine, and mountains raise of meat.?Wine! they could bribe you with the world as soon,?And of 'Roast Beef,' they only know the tune:?But what they have they give; could Clive[3] do more,?Though for each million he had brought home four??Shuter[4] keeps open house at Southwark fair,?And hopes the friends of humour will be there; 30 In Smithfield, Yates[5] prepares the rival treat?For those who laughter love, instead of meat;?Foote,[6] at Old House,--for even Foote will be,?In self-conceit, an actor,--bribes with tea;?Which Wilkinson[7] at second-hand receives,?And at the New, pours water on the leaves.?The town divided, each runs several ways,?As passion, humour, interest, party sways.?Things of no moment, colour of the hair,?Shape of a leg, complexion brown or fair, 40 A dress well chosen, or a patch misplaced,?Conciliate favour, or create distaste.?From galleries loud peals of laughter roll,?And thunder Shuter's praises; he's so droll.?Embox'd, the ladies must have something smart,?Palmer! oh! Palmer[8] tops the jaunty part.?Seated in pit, the dwarf with aching eyes,?Looks up, and vows that Barry's[9] out of size;?Whilst to six feet the vigorous stripling grown,?Declares that Garrick is another Coan.[10] 50 When place of judgment is by whim supplied,?And our opinions have their rise in pride;?When, in discoursing on each