Soon reach’d the Frigate, which without delay Her Topsails haul’d, and gently bore away. And now our Knight with solitary pace Did to the Fountain Inn his way retrace; Tired of himself, he there express’d his will-- ‘To have his Chaise and Four, and have his Bill.’ The bill produced; ‘What’s this I see? why Zounds! ‘For three days’ living, six and fifty pounds![30] ‘Myself, and Son, two Servants, and no more-- ‘A Bill like this I never saw before.’ ‘’Twas true, Sir John, but _meat_, Sir John, was dear; ‘It was, Sir John, a bad time of the Year.’ ‘Aye, aye, ’tis plain, egad! I see it now, ‘You charge D----d dear, my friend, for every Bow.’ In Carriage seated--paid; but swore he meant ‘To lay the Bill before the Parliament.’ To London went Post-haste, with thoughtful cares, Now of his Son, and now on State Affairs. Brisk was the Gale, with clear, uncloudy Weather; Brisk was John’s heart, for he was in high Feather. His rising Prospects, as he looked around-- What limits now could his Ambition bound? In Fortune, Fashion, Rank, conspicuous shone, From Eastern Hemisphere, a Rising Sun.[31] At Starting Posts, with Note-book, took his stand, Or, midst the gaping throng, drove Four in hand-- He’d gamed with Princes, drank with Duke and Peer, Was foremost in the Field in Leicestershire. All this, ’tis true, conspired to give a claim, A _Newcome_ Title to notorious Fame; And was, no doubt, most grateful to his Vanity-- Still ’twas a Trifling, Tonish, Tincture of Insanity. Ardent he longed with gallant Hosts to Muster, And by Achievement gain a Warlike lustre. He wish’d ’mongst Heroes to be rank’d and known, An Emanation from himself alone. Alert and active, stretched is every Sail, To catch the impulse from the ready Gale; The Frigate glides with smooth and steady sweep O’er the wide surface of th’ unfathomed Deep. In elegance and ease they pass’d each Day, The willing Breeze impell’d them on their Way. The Rock of Lisbon, towering in height-- St. Julian’s Castle open’d to their Sight. With press of Sail the Tagus now explore, And Johnny greets the Lusitanian Shore. His thanks return’d for this most pleasant Trip, With glowing spirits soon he left the Ship. With all the Guardsman’s Nonchalance and Grace, First to the Envoy’s he directs his pace. A kind reception he should meet he knew, A Guardsman’s Costume is, a _passe par tout_. Besides from People in the highest Station He’d Letters too of strongest commendation. The Envoy[32] was a Man of shrewd discerning, A Man of Wit, of Fashion, and of Learning; Perused the Letters, said, in Friendly way, ‘You’ll make my House your home, Sir, while you stay; ‘For you must know this Casa where I dwell, ‘Is by the Quizzers called, the Guards’ Hotel.’ Our Hero thanked him for the Friendly offer-- It was a pleasing and a flattering proffer.