An Officer Tells Of His Mean Employment

With mind indifferent, things I easy take;

  In every dance I prompt appearance make:--

  Then, when the sun is at his topmost height,

  There, in the place that courts the public sight.

  With figure large I in the courtyard dance,

  And the duke smiles, when he beholds me prance.

  A tiger's strength I have; the steeds swift bound;

  The reins as ribbons in my hands are found.

  See how I hold the flute in my left hand;

  In right the pheasant's plume, waved like a wand;

  With visage red, where rouge you think to trace,

  While the duke pleased, sends down the cup of grace!

  Hazel on hills; the _ling_ in meadow damp;--

  Each has its place, while I'm a slighted scamp.

  My thoughts go back to th' early days of Chow,

  And muse upon its chiefs, not equalled now.

    O noble chiefs, who then the West adorned,

    Would ye have thus neglected me and scorned?