Eavesdroppings, astute fabrications,

The figments of vile keyhole varlets, the fudge

Of venal vindictiveness. Faugh! the foul sludge

Reeks rank as the swamp's exhalations.

Paul Pry, with a poison-fang, ready to bite

In the pay of home-hate or political spite,

Is a portent as mean as malignant.

The villain is vermin scarce worthy of steel,

His head should lie crushed 'neath the merciless heel

Of honesty hotly indignant.