Produced by David Wilson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) FRONTISPIECE. [Illustration: "When lo! from the regions of air &c." p. 7.] THE PEACOCK AND PARROT, _ON THEIR TOUR_ TO DISCOVER THE AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK AT HOME." ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS. London: PRINTED FOR J. HARRIS, CORNER OF ST. PAUL'S. 1816. H. Bryer, Printer, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London. ADVERTISEMENT. [p 3] The little Poem now presented to the Public, was intended for publication immediately after the appearance of the "Peacock at Home," but from various causes, was laid aside till now. In the opinion of the Publisher, however, it is so nearly allied in point of merit to that celebrated Trifle, that he is induced, although at this late period, to print it with a few appropriate embellishments. THE [p 5] PEACOCK, &c. Ye votaries of Fashion, who have it to boast, That your names to posterity will not be lost; That the last _Morning Chronicle_ due honor paid To the still-blooming Dowager's gay Masquerade; That the Minister's Dinner has blaz'd in _the Times_, That the Countess's Gala has jingled in rhymes; Oh! tell me, who would not endeavour to please, And exert ev'ry nerve, for rewards such as these? It was early in Spring--but no matter what year, [p 6] That the PEACOCK, delighting in noise, and good cheer, Determin'd, for dear notoriety's sake, A dash in the whirlpool of Fashion to make. A Concert and Ball, their attractions united, To which the _Beau-Monde_ were politely invited. Away they all flew, it was heavenly weather, And soon at the PEACOCK'S arriv'd, in full feather. The scene was enchanting! for taste so refin'd Had never appear'd with such splendor combin'd. The Dance was all gaiety, frolic, and glee; The Music transporting! the Supper _exquis_! The Beaux were all _prime_, and the flow'r of the nation, The Belles were all style, beauty, grace, fascination: Good humour presided, where pleasure was law, And the guests, more or less, all came off with _eclat_. But, alas! Time has wings; and tho' still vastly clever, We cannot make Balls last for ever and ever, When day was seen breaking, the company parted; [p 7] And none, I am told, ever went lighter hearted.