The Press.
London, England, 1854-09-16 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

877

lIE ART OF POLITICS.
(After the EPISTOLA All PISONEB.)
Ut pictura poesig.—Hor.
Some doubtless think the mighty craft of state
Is choice of time your projects to relate,
To say but little, leave the rest behind,
To add or not, as chance may set the wind.
Now, truth and force of policy profound,
If I mistake not, will in this be found :
Propose but little, leaving time for more,
Nor slay your measures ere the session's o'er ;
Unlike our rulers, thus, you calm review
What to reject and what to carry through.*
Select your words with prudent care at least,
Nor hello " mummery!' while you fear a priest;
Or chill the Parliament's yet echoing cheers
By telling them to disbelieve their ears.
But still no canon can be fairly set
'Gainat forming phrases not in Johnson yet.
Such monstrous compacts as our placemen frame
Johnson ne'er saw, and left no words to name.
Yet here be careful—nor, like Molesworth, stand
Prepared outlandish projects in your hand ;
Nor fish "finality" from days long gone,
Nor talk of " policy," displaying none.
Like Autumn foliage, all such words decay,
Serving for little minds their little day.f
Use, after all, the only test affords
By which th try the placemau's oily words.
Would you of little make a sounding tale,
Mark but how Graham takes the claptrap gale.
Would you say nought, and yet to speak appear,
Hearken while Gladstone puzzles all who hear.
Or if an elegy on war you seek,
See the tear glisten on the Premier's cheek.
But who can best deplore each slaughtered bill
Grub-street historians are contesting still?:
In tragic tale no comic words retain,
Nor censure blunders in a serious strain.
Thus while the session's sad mishaps you tell,
How Civil Service and Reform Bills fell,
'Twere vain to rise to Lyndhurst's scathing fire,
Or hurl on placelings all a statesman's ire.
But yet when swelling from the Danube far
Come wafted cries of plague, but none of war,
Indignant fleets and armies pining slow,
The silent pestilence their only foe,
Who to whom Britain freeman's name accords
Can tell the shameful tale in tempered words ;
Nor let such scorn as Chatham wielded fall
On those whose selfish sloth has wrought it all ?
Lest lords and knights break out in laughing jeer,
Let every placeman keep his proper sphere.lj
Who iu a time when firmest voice should sway
The thoughtful senate's councils day by day,
Can, 'stead of manhood's clear commanding tone,
Hear age repeat its scarcely stifled moan,§
Or Russian hopes in English phrases hide,
Excusing but what vainly were denied?
Like Denmark's talking sage, such Premier can
Still safest live " the unseen good old man.",
'Tis well if you would seek to found a name
To try new flights, or follow former fame ;
But yet how hard in days like these to find
A novel cry to rouse the vulgar mind.
In Manchester itself the themes are few,
T' employ, or feed, or hang the patriot crew ;
Their last poor subject left the tribunes all,
When even the sewers were given to lucky Hall.
Yet would you still some innovation plan,
See that its various parts you careful scan ;
Nor, like some measures we, of late, have seen,
Find in it nought of what there once had been—
A motley patchwork by each meddler wrought,
While placemen smiled and " thanked him for the thought."
'Tis difficult, you must remember too,
In talking nonsense to say might that's new.lT
Yet if you laws must make, the statute's page
Gives you the folly of each passing age.
Like Fitzroy, gentleness from brutes exact ;
Like Patten, Barebones' " beer bills" re-enact;
And, like our rulers, feel that if you choose
All public treasure is for private use,**
From which you may to friends some aid afford,
Nor servile render reasons word for word.ff
• Hoc amet, hoc spentat promissi carminis anctor.
4 UL silvse foliis pronos mutantur in annos.
Gratumatici certant et adhuc sub judice pis est.
ii Si dicentis erunt fortunis absona dicta
Romani tollent equites peditesque cachinnum.
§ Maturuanc senex, an adhuc fiorente juventa
Fervidus.
liffieilt, est proprie enmmunia dicere.—The above is the latest rendering of this
and is, at least, as fair as that of " le lumineux Drimarsais."
•• Publics materies privati juria erit.
t+ Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus
Interpret.

878

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