Mute as a post. Ye men of sense and worth,
Mark not my course, which way I vote, for fear,
My very looks show I’ve been tamper’d with;
And take the present honour from my name
That now rests with it. Whiles I yet shall live,
Votes I for treats and feeds and gold will give.
I go and plump anon: the chink invites me.
Hear it not, Beresford! for ’tis a knell
That summons thee to follow Jacob Bell!
Punch, August, 1852.