Poets, Patriots, Linguists, with reading like Parr's—
Critics keener than sabres—Wits brighter than stars;
And Reasoners as cool as the coolest cu-cumber
Form the host that shine out in The Nation's First Number.
V.
We shall sketch living manners—and men—in a style
That will scarcely be sneez'd at, we guess, for a while;
Build up stories as fast as of yore Mother Bunch,
And for Fun of all twists take the shine out of "Punch;"
Thus our Wisdom and Quizdom will finely agree
Very much, Public dear, we conceive as you see
Do the lights and the shades that illume and adumber
Each beautiful page in the Nation's First Number.
VI.
A word more:—To Old Ireland our first love is given;
Still, our friendship hath arms for all lands under Heaven.
We are Irish—we vaunt it—all o'er and all out;
But we wish not that England shall "sneak up the spout!"
Then, O Public! here, there, and elsewhere through the world,
Wheresoe'er Truth's and Liberty's flags are unfurl'd,
From the Suir to the Tweed, from the Boyne to the Humber,
Raise one Shout of Applause for The Nation's First Number!
EPIGRAM
ON HEARING THAT THE PRESENT EMPEROR OF CHINA IS OF A TARTAR FAMILY.
"Go forth," exclaimed Imperial Fum, "and see
What those barbarian vagabonds are arter!"
Then, tapping on his box, and taking three
Pinches of Lundy's Prime—"By Jing," quoth he,
"If they nab me they'll find they have caught a Tartar!"
