'Then, dumb with anger and surprise, And not without much reason, Cæsar unveil'd his royal eyes, To see who did the treason. 'Then Lady B----mp's mother rush'd, Nor lords, nor ladies heeding, And vow'd to Cæsar that she blush'd To see the girl's ill breeding. 'But, if his Highness would, for once, Benignantly forget her, She would take home the silly dunce, And teach the rustic better. 'Queen Dollalolla interpos'd, To wipe off the transgression, And Cæsar's wounds, at length, were clos'd By this most vile concession.' Then they played at 'hunt the slipper,' and would have tried forfeits, only none of the gentlemen could be found with wit enough to invent the penalties, and-- 'Now wearied Cæsar call'd for wine, And Y-- his brother Gracchus, With Momus cut, and left his shrine, To pay his vows to Bacchus. 'The peers, of sport and frolic cur'd, Soon put their chairs in motion, And join'd, by high example lur'd, The jolly god's devotion. 'Then rose the dame of mighty mind, The graceful Dollalolla, And walk'd across the room, and sign'd The peeresses to follow. 'But whether, as the Frenchman notes, They went to closet handy, To wet their pretty little throats, And glut themselves with brandy: 'Or, whether, as the aforesaid saith, Adjourning to their houses, They went to plan their plans of death Against their thoughtless spouses: 'Of this, the bard relateth not, Nor with the ladies went he, But chose to stay (far happier lot!) Where claret flow'd in plenty. 'Now Cæsar at the head took place, With Y-- and K-- beside him; And those who said he shew'd no grace, Most wofully belied him. 'Quoth he, when in his brain, a rout The wine began to kick up, Tho' lamely hopp'd the language out, Delay'd by many a hiccup. 'Quoth he--"Upon my soul, Lord L.,[90] You are a funny fellow, And it would please me vastly well If you a song would bellow; '"Or, if Lord C.[91] and you will try To sing my favourite duet, I'll dub you dukes before you die, So mind and keep me to it." 'Then did Lord C---- most gravely swear, For songs he could not hum 'em; For sharps and naturals made him stare, He could not overcome 'em. '"And," said Lord L----, "I gravely vow By him the blessed Saviour, I, never, from my youth, could know A crotchet from a quaver." 'Then Cæsar cry'd--"Well, sing in flats, I want no grace nor science; And, if you mew like two Tom Cats, I'll have a prompt compliance." 'When these two nobles saw 'twas vain, To oppose his R----l Highness, They pick'd them out a simple strain, Suited to birds of shyness.