All that can well be understood In this said Book is vastly good; And as to what's incomprehensible, I dare be sworn‘ tis full as sensible.
But to your work's immortal credit The Prince, good Sir, the Prince has read it ( The only Book, himself remarks, Which he has read since Mrs. Clarke's ).
Last levee-morn he lookt it thro’, During that awful hour or two Of grave tonsorial preparation, Which to a fond, admiring nation
Sends forth, announced by trump and drum, The best-wigged Prince in Christendom. He thinks with you, the imagination Of partnership in legislation
Could only enter in the noddles Of dull and ledger-keeping twaddles, Whose heads on firms are running so, They even must have a King and Co.,
And hence most eloquently show forth On checks and balances and so forth. But now, he trusts, we're coming near a Far more royal, loyal era;
When England's monarch need but say, “Whip me those scoundrels, Castlereagh!” Or, “Hang me up those Papists, Eldon,” And‘ twill be done — ay, faith, and well done.
With view to which I've his command To beg, Sir, from your travelled hand, ( Round which the foreign graces swarm ) A Plan of radical Reform;
Compiled and chosen as best you can, In Turkey or at Ispahan, And quite upturning, branch and root, Lords, Commons, and Burdett to boot.
But, pray, whate'er you may impart, write Somewhat more brief than Major Cartwright: Else, tho’ the Prince be long in rigging, ‘ Twould take at least a fortnight's wigging,—
Two wigs to every paragraph — Before he well could get thro’ half. You'll send it also speedily — As truth to say‘ twixt you and me,
His Highness, heated by your work, Already thinks himself Grand Turk! And you'd have laught, had you seen how He scared the Chancellor just now,
When ( on his Lordship's entering puft ) he Slapt his back and called him “Mufti!” The tailors too have got commands To put directly into hands
All sorts of Dulimans and Pouches, With Sashes, Turbans and Paboutches, ( While Yarmouth's sketching out a plan Of new Moustaches à l'Ottomane )
And all things fitting and expedient To turkify our gracious Regent! You therefore have no time to waste — So, send your System.—
Yours in haste.
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