ANOTHER.
“A mere affair of trade to embrace,
Wines, brandies, gloves, fans, cambricks, lace;
For this on me my Sovereign laid
His high commands, and I obeyed;
Nor think, my lord, this conduct base.
“Party were guilt in such a case,
When thus my country, for a space,
Calls my poor skill to DORSET’s aid
A mere affair of trade!”
Thus EDEN, with unblushing face,
To NORTH would palliate his disgrace;
When NORTH, with smiles, this answer made:
“You might have spared what you have said;
I thought the business of your place
A mere affair of trade!”