"Drink," cries the Cobler, "I'm adry; Pshaw, damn your nonsense, what care I? I told you first, and all along, I'll lay this cole you're in the wrong; I hope his worship will excuse, I should, though, carry home his shoes." "Well, well," the Barber makes reply, "Election-time puts business by: Only six ships our Admiral had; A very slender force, egad; What then? our dumplings gave them sport:-- Here stood one castle; there the fort."-- "'Sblood," cries the Cobler, "go to school, You half-learn'd, half-starv'd, silly fool! I tell you, Barber, 'tis not true; Sure I can see as much as you." But hark, what noise our ears assails! A distant, loud huzza, prevails; Ha, ha, they're at their wonted sport; That was a gun, by the report: Behold the rabble at _The Crown_! "Damn, damn, th' Excise; we'll have it down." And all the while, poor simple elves, They little think 'twill crush themselves. Danger again may wait our stay, So, courteous Reader, come away. CANTO III. POLLING _at the_ HUSTINGS. _Swift_, reverend wag, _Ierne's_ pride, Who lov'd the comic rein to guide, Has told us, "Gaolers, when they please, Let out their flock, to rob for fees." From this sage hint, in needful cases, The wights, who govern other places, Let out their crew, for private ends, _Ergo_, to serve themselves and friends. Behold, here gloriously inclin'd, The Sick, and Lame, the Halt, and Blind! From Workhouse, Gaol, and Hospital, Submiss they come, true Patriots all! But let's get nearer, while we stay,-- Good Master Constable, make way! "Hoi! keep the passage clear and fair;-- I'll break your shins!--stand backward there; What! won't you let the Pollers come:"-- Reader, they think us so--but _mum_. Now praise and prejudice expand, In printed bills, from hand to hand; One tells, the 'Squire's a man of worth; Generous and noble from his birth: Another plainly makes appear, "Some circumstance, in such a year." The voice of Scandal's sure to wait, Or true, or false, each Candidate. Observe the waving flags applied, To let Free-holders know their side! Hark, at each vote exult the crew! "_Yellow!_ Huzza!--Huzza! the _Blue!_"