LINES

Well — now ( said the devil ) it looks something better!

Your title is struck on a charming new Letter:

Last night in the dark, as I gave it a squint,

I saw my dear partner had taken the hint.

I ever surmised ( though‘ twas doubted by some )

That the old types were shadows of substance to come:

But if the new Letter is pregnant with charms,

It grieves me to think of those cursed King's Arms!

The Dieu et mon droit ( his God and his right )

Is so dim, that I hardly know what is meant by't;

The paws of the Lion can scarcely be seen,

And the Unicorn's guts are most shamefully lean!

The Crown is so worn of your master the Despot,

That I hardly know whether‘ tis a crown or a pisspot:

When I rub up my day-lights, and look very sharp

I just can distinguish the Irishman's Harp:

Another device appears rather silly,

Alas! it is only the shade of the Lilly!

For the honour of George, and the fame of our nation,

Pray give his escutcheons a rectification —

Or I know what I know, ( and I'm a queer shaver )

Of Him and his Arms I'll be the In-grave-r.