IV. The next that spoke was the court buffoon,-- (The name of this buffer was _Whim-Wham-Fun_,)-- Who carried a salt-box, and large wooden spoon, With which, he suggested, the job might be done. Said the jester, "I'll wager my rattle and bells, Your pride, my fine fellow, shall soon have a fall: If you make many more of your damnable yells, I know a good method to make you sing small!" And, when he had set all the place in a roar, As his merry conceits led the whimsical wag on, He hinted a plan to get rid of the bore, By putting some _salt_ on the _tail_ of the _dragon_! V. At length appear'd a brisk young knight,-- (The far-fam'd warrior, _Bam-Boo-Gong_,)-- Who threaten'd to burke the big blackguard outright, And have the deed blazon'd in story and song. With an excellent shot from a very _long bow_ He damag'd the dragon by cracking his crown; When he fell to the ground (as my documents show) With a smash that was heard many miles out of town. His death was the signal for frolic and spree-- They carried the corpse in a common stage-waggon; And the hero was crown'd with the leaves of green tea, For saving the _sun_ from the jaws of the _dragon_. VI. A poet, whose works were all the rage,-- (This gentleman's name was _Sing-Song-Strum_,)-- Told the terrible tale on his popular page: (Compar'd with _his_ verses, _my_ rhymes are but rum!) The Royal Society claim'd, as their right, The spoils of the vanquish'd--his wings, tail, and claws; And a brilliant bravura, describing the fight, Was sung on the stage with unbounded applause. "The valiant _Bam-Boo_" was a favourite toast, And a topic for future historians to fag on, Which, when it had reach'd to the Middlesex coast, Gave rise to the legend of "_George and the Dragon_." [49] "Better know to illiterate people as _Confucius_." --WASHINGTON IRVING. [50] In _China_ (whatever European astronomers may assert to the contrary) an _eclipse_ is caused by a _great dragon eating up the sun_. To avert so shocking an outrage, the natives frighten away the monster from his intended _hot_ dinner, by giving a morning concert, _al fresco_; consisting of drums, trumpets, cymbals, gongs, tin-kettles, &c. A PASSAGE IN THE LIFE OF BEAUMARCHAIS. BY GEORGE HOGARTH.