POLITICS AND TRADE.
(A Poser for "Patriots.")
["Our Trade is our Politics." Motto of the Licensed Victualler, as publicly avowed at a recent "great Meeting.">[
Dear Bung, that frank but huckster-like avowal
Is made continually, behind the bar.
It means—though rather "laid on with a trowel"—
A Trade with Public Spirit quite at jar.
The "mercenary politician," making
A pocket-business of a patriot's task,
Recently put your Press in a great taking;
But sordid selfishness here doffs all mask!
Which with a patriot's conscience plays most tricks?
Which most the venal virus has betrayed,—
The man who makes his Trade his Politics,
Or he who makes his Politics his Trade?