FANNY.
147
cxlvii.
With eagle eye and step that never faltered,
The busy tongue of scandal dared to tell
That cash was scarce with him, and credit altered;
And while he stood the envy of beholders,
The Bank Directors grinned, and shrugged their shoulders.
cxlviii.
Shake their sage heads, and look demure and holy,
Depend upon it there is something in it;
For whether born of wisdom or of folly,
Suspicion is a being whose fell power
Blights every thing it touches, fruit and flower.
cxlix.
About retrenchment and a day of doom;
He thanked them, as no doubt they kindly meant it,
And made this speech when they had left the room:
"Of all the curses upon mortals sent,
One's creditors are the most impudent;
cl.
And suits exactly to his means his ends;