'The key once pitch'd, they puff'd their cheeks, And gave the ears a griper, Like the discordant sound that breaks From an old Scotch bagpiper. 'But L----l soon got before, And C----h jogg'd after, While all their friends were in a roar, And Cæsar shook with laughter. 'Cry'd Cæsar--"Of your notes be spare, A little economic; For though a vastly tragic air, Your genius makes it comic. '"When next, with long, Munchausen hop, The Post[92] your praise is ringing, Your politics the knave should drop, And blazon out your singing." 'Then Cæsar volunteer'd a song, And volunteer'd it gaily; And bellow'd out, in cadence strong, "Unfortunate Miss Bailey!" 'But, as his voice approach'd the close, Its tones began to woddle; The claret fumes so quickly rose, While reaching to the noddle. 'Dimly the lights began to burn, And care appear'd a bubble, And ev'ry noble, in his turn, Saw wine and glasses double. 'Now Cæsar from his cushion popp'd, And none to help were able; For, one by one, the whole group dropp'd, Like logs, beneath the table. 'And now, God bless all men who breathe, And shield the Royal _crania_, That they may never break beneath The Bacchanalian mania.' [Illustration: Decorative motif] FOOTNOTES: [77] On June 19, 1811. [78] On June 1, 1812, _Town Talk_ published a satirical print, Worse and Worse, or the Sports of the 19th Century.' Mrs. Fitzherbert and Lady Hertford are playing at shuttlecock with the Prince of Wales's feathers. Mrs. F. says, 'This shuttlecock is too light for me. I'll have no more to do with it.' Lady H. calls out, 'You have play'd with it till you are tired, but it suits me to a nicety; the game's mine. Y--h, take care of the shuttlecock.' Lord Yarmouth, who is behind Mrs. F., says, 'O yes, Ma'am, I'll take care of the shuttlecock, I warrant you.' [79] Physician-in-ordinary to George IV. [80] St. John the Baptist in Upper St. James's Street. [81] 'Royal Rantipoles; or the Humours of Brighton.' A poem, by Peter Pindar, Esq.; London, 1816, 8vo. [82] Colonel MacMahon, the Regent's Privy Purse. [83] A famous equestrian at Astley's Amphitheatre. [84] The Archdukes John and Lewis, who spent a few days at Brighton with the Prince. [85] Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford. [86] Lord and Lady Castlereagh. [87] Lord Yarmouth, who had red hair and was a notable bruiser. [88] According to the novelist Fielding, in his play of 'Tom Thumb,' 1730, Dollalolla was the consort of King Arthur, very fond of stiff punch, but scorning 'vulgar sips of brandy, gin and rum.' [89] Beauchamp, pronounced 'Beacham.' [90] Liverpool. [91] Castlereagh. [92] The _Morning Post_. [Illustration: Decorative panel] CHAPTER XVIII.