alluding to two of Pye's works, his version of Tyrtæus, and his translation of a German story, speaks of him in the following couplet,
"With Spartan Pye lull England to repose,
Or frighten children with Lenora's woes:"
and appends to it the following remarks in the form of a note: "Mr. Pye, the present Poet-Laureate, with the best intentions at this momentous period, if not with the very best poetry, translated the verses of Tyrtæus the Spartan. They were designed to produce animation throughout the kingdom, and among the Militia in particular. Several of the Reviewing Generals (I do not mean the Monthly or Critical) were much impressed with their weight and importance; and, at a board of general officers, an experiment was agreed upon, which unfortunately failed. They were read aloud at Wanley Common, and at Barham Downs, by the adjutants, at the head of five different regiments, at each camp, and much was expected. But before they were half finished, all the front ranks, and as many of the others as were within hearing or verse shot, dropped their arms suddenly, and were all found fast asleep. Marquis Townshend, who never approved of the scheme, said, with his usual pleasantry, 'that the first of all poets observed that sleep is the brother of death.'"
We have, however, interrupted our narrative to allude to some of his writings.
In 1784 he contested the county of Bucks, and was returned to Parliament. In the House he never distinguished himself, and spoke but briefly on only three occasions. The first time that he rose was in the debate on Mr. Masham's bill for securing the freedom of elections; and of his other two yet shorter oratorical efforts, the
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