So, with his daughters _Three_, th’ unsceptered Lear 160 Heaved the loud sigh, and poured the glistering tear: His daughters _Three_, save one alone, conspire (Rich in his gifts) to spurn their generous sire; Bid the rude storm his hoary tresses drench, Stint the spare meal, the hundred knights retrench; 165 Mock his mad sorrow, and with altered mien Renounce the daughter, and assert the queen. A father’s griefs his feeble frame convulse, Rack his white head, and fire his feverous pulse; Till kind Cordelia soothes his soul to rest, 170 And folds the parent-monarch to her breast. Thus some fair spinster grieves in wild affright, Vexed with dull megrim, or vertigo light; Pleased round the fair, _Three_ dawdling doctors stand, Wave the white wig, and stretch the asking hand, 175 State the grave doubt, the nauseous draught decree, And all receive, though none deserve, a fee. So down thy hill, romantic Ashbourn,[233] glides The Derby dilly, carrying _Three_ INSIDES. One in each corner sits, and lolls at ease, 180 With folded arms, propt back, and outstretched knees; While the pressed _Bodkin_, punched and squeezed to death, Sweats in the midmost place, and scolds, and pants for breath.[234] (_To be continued._) [Illustration] No. XXV. April 30, 1798. BRISSOT’S GHOST.[235] As at the Shakespeare Tavern dining, O’er the well replenished board Patriotic chiefs reclining, Quick and large libations poured; While, in fancy, great and glorious, ’Midst the democratic storm, FOX’S crew, with shout victorious, Drank to _Radical Reform_; Sudden, up the staircase sounding, Hideous yells and shrieks were heard; Then, each guest with fear confounding, A grim train of Ghosts appeared: Each a head, with anguish gasping, (Himself a trunk deformed with gore), In his hand, terrific, clasping, Stalked across the wine-stained floor. On them gleamed the lamp’s blue lustre, When stern BRISSOT’S grizzly shade His sad bands was seen to muster, And his bleeding troops arrayed. Through the drunken crowd he hied him, Where the chieftain sate enthroned, There, his shadowy trunks beside him, Thus in threatening accents groaned: