Quæ Genus.
| "I do profess I can engage With noble, simple, and with sage. Though young as yet, I've been so hurl'd About what you would call the world, That well I know it, yet 'tis true, I can be very honest too. —Of the good name which you demand, I tell you—I've not one at hand. Of friends, I once had ample store, But those fair, prosp'rous days are o'er, And I must mourn it to my cost That friends are dead, and gone, and lost; But if to conscience 'tis referr'd, My conscience says, Sir, take his word. —Of character, though I have none, Perhaps, Sir, I can purchase one: I, from a corner of my coat, May just pluck out a pretty note; Which, with a view to gain an end, Might, in an urgent want, befriend. | |
| Now, if to place me, you contrive, Where I may have a chance to thrive; I'll give this note, if I'm alive. | } |
| It may be rather worth your while; Perhaps it may awake a smile." |
Sharpsight appear'd to look astray,
But still he took a glance that way.
"I'm not," he said, "to be beguil'd;"
Though when he glanc'd that way, he smil'd,
And, turning to the other side,
In a calm, soften'd tone replied.