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1836–1911

THE HEAVY DRAGOON.

William Schwenck Gilbert

If you want a receipt for that popular mystery Known to the world as a Heavy Dragoon, Take all the remarkable people in history, Rattle them off to a popular tune!

The pluck of Lord Nelson on board of the Victory — Genius of Bismarck devising a plan; The humor of Fielding ( which sounds contradictory ) — Coolness of Paget about to trepan —

The grace of Mozart, that unparalleled musico — Wit of Macaulay, who wrote of Queen Anne — The pathos of Paddy, as rendered by Boucicault — Style of the Bishop of Sodor and Man —

The dash of a D'Orsay, divested of quackery — Narrative powers of Dickens and Thackeray Victor Emmanuel — peak-haunting Peveril — Thomas Aquinas, and Doctor Sacheverell —

Tupper and Tennyson — Daniel Defoe — Anthony Trollope and Mister Guizot! Take of these elements all that are fusible, Melt them all down in a pipkin or crucible,

Set them to simmer and take off the scum, And a Heavy Dragoon is the residuum! If you want a receipt for this soldierlike paragon, Get at the wealth of the Czar ( if you can ) —

The family pride of a Spaniard from Arragon — Force of Mephisto pronouncing a ban — A smack of Lord Waterford, reckless and rollicky — Swagger of Roderick, heading his clan —

The keen penetration of Paddington Pollaky — Grace of an Odalisque on a divan — The genius strategic of Cæsar or Hannibal — Skill of Lord Wolseley in thrashing a cannibal

Flavor of Hamlet — the Stranger, a touch of him — Little of Manfred, ( but not very much of him ) — Beadle of Burlington — Richardson's show; Mr. Micawber and Madame Tussaud!

Take of these elements all that are fusible, Melt them all down in a pipkin or crucible, Set them to simmer and take off the scum, And a Heavy Dragoon is the residuum!

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THE HEAVY DRAGOON. · William Schwenck Gilbert · Poetry Cove