And now strange thoughts pervaded Johnny’s brain,-- He’d seen enough of Fighting, and of Spain; So, after dinner, with his honest Sire, With good old Port, and near a blazing Fire, ‘I think,’ says John, ‘Campaigning is no joke ‘With us poor _Subs_, it only ends in smoke: ‘For my own part, I’ve got a sort of notion, ‘That I, by other means, may get Promotion.’ ‘How’s that?’ says Dad, ‘dear Johnny don’t be rash.’ ‘Father, I mean by interest, or by Cash.’ ‘O aye, my Son, aye, now I think I take you-- ‘If Cash will do’t, I’ll soon a Colonel make you.’ ‘True, Sir,’ says John; ‘when the Gazette I read, ‘There’s many by that way I see succeed.’ ‘If that’s your way,’ again replies the Dad, ‘I’ll soon promote you, never fear my lad. ‘I’ll tell you what, dear John, since off you ran, ‘A Banker I’m become, and Alderman: ‘And what’s still better, as you will agree, ‘I represent the City, an M.P.’ ‘An M.P., dear Dad--that’s devilish well, ‘Then I can now Campaign it in Pall Mall.’ ‘Campaign at Carlton House--is’t that you say[23]?’ ‘Aye, aye, dear Dad, you take me--that’s the way. ‘Who gets Promotion now? tell me who hears? ‘Do the poor Subs who’ve fought so many Years? ‘A Captain, now and then, may make a shift ‘By some odd accident to get a lift. ‘I know a man[24] of whom ’tis truly said ‘He bravely twice a Storming party led; ‘And Volunteer’d both times--now here’s the rub, ‘+The gallant fellow still remains a Sub+.’ ‘That’s cruel hard, my boy, there is no doubt, ‘Enough to break a heart, tho’ e’er so stout; ‘But never mind, +I’ve Cash at my Command+.’ ‘They’ve touch’d it somewhere. Eh! you understand.’ ‘If that’s your Plan, gadzooks! I’ll bet a wager ‘I soon shall see you Captain! aye! and Major.’ END OF PART II FOOTNOTES [18] It was shocking to behold the number of dead bodies (chiefly of the French Army) with which the Highway was crowded.--They were in a horribly disgusting state of Nudity, and half devoured by Wolves, and Birds. The Armies had no time to bury the Dead, and the Inhabitants were either too indolent, or for some other reason neglected to do it. But to such a state of Barbarism had the natives of Portugal and Spain attained, that Boys and Girls have been seen throwing human heads at each other, by way of amusement; and a little Urchin, ten years old, Servant to an Officer, was heard frequently to boast, after the Battle of Salamanca, of having stolen slily on the wounded Frenchmen, struck them on the head with a Stone, in order, if possible, to kill, for the purpose of plundering them. [19] The Army, not having tents, were obliged to lay out exposed to the Weather.