The flood of morbid sentiment rolls on.

Lion-kings die, and the Sword-swallower's gone

The way of all such horrors, slowly slain

By efforts to please curious brutes, for gain.

What next, and next? Stretch some one on the rack

And let him suffer publicly. 'Twill pack

The show with prurient pryers, and draw out

The ready shillings from the rabble rout

Of well-dressed quidnuncs, frivolous and fickle

Who'll pay for aught that their dull sense will tickle.