How that animal eats, how he moves, how he drinks, Is all noted down by this Boswell so small; And 'tis plain, from each sentence, the puppy-dog thinks That the lion was no such great things after all. Though he roar'd pretty well--this the puppy allows-- It was all, he says, borrow'd--all second-hand roar; And he vastly prefers his own little bow-wows To the loftiest war-note the lion could pour. 'Tis indeed as good fun as a cynic could ask, To see how this cockney-bred setter of rabbits Takes gravely the lord of the forest to task, And judges of lions by puppy-dog habits. Nay, fed as he was (and this makes it a dark case) With sops every day from the lion's own pan, He lifts up his leg at the noble beast's carcase, And--does all a dog, so diminutive, can. However the book's a good book, being rich in Examples and warnings to lions high-bred, How they suffer small mongrelly curs in their kitchen, Who'll feed on them living, and foul them when dead. GEORGE CANNING. (1770-1827.) L. EPISTLE FROM LORD BORINGDON TO LORD GRANVILLE. Published in _Fugitive Verses_, and thence included among Canning's works. Oft you have ask'd me, Granville, why Of late I heave the frequent sigh? Why, moping, melancholy, low, From supper, commons, wine, I go? Why bows my mind, by care oppress'd, By day no peace, by night no rest? Hear, then, my friend, and ne'er you knew A tale so tender, and so true-- Hear what, tho' shame my tongue restrain, My pen with freedom shall explain. Say, Granville, do you not remember, About the middle of November, When Blenheim's hospitable lord Received us at his cheerful board; How fair the Ladies Spencer smiled, Enchanting, witty, courteous, mild? And mark'd you not, how many a glance Across the table, shot by chance From fair Eliza's graceful form, Assail'd and took my heart by storm? And mark'd you not, with earnest zeal, I ask'd her, if she'd have some veal? And how, when conversation's charms Fresh vigour gave to love's alarms, My heart was scorch'd, and burnt to tinder, When talking to her at the _winder_? These facts premised, you can't but guess The cause of my uneasiness, For you have heard, as well as I, That she'll be married speedily; And then--my grief more plain to tell-- Soft cares, sweet fears, fond hopes,--farewell! But still, tho' false the fleeting dream, Indulge awhile the tender theme, And hear, had fortune yet been kind, How bright the prospect of the mind. O! had I had it in my power To wed her--with a suited dower-- And proudly bear the beauteous maid To Saltrum's venerable shade,-- Or if she liked not woods at Saltrum, Why, nothing easier than to alter 'em,-- Then had I tasted bliss sincere, And happy been from year to year. How changed this scene! for now, my Granville, Another match is on the anvil. And I, a widow'd dove, complain,