Not in contentious heat, nor mad'ning strife, We'll waste the fleeting hours; far happier themes But scarce a thought to Ministers we'll spare, 130 SINCE sage philosophers aver, That climate forms the character; What schemes might crafty statesmen lay, Suppose the Turks, who now agree Might not some Mussulmen be brought, Wou'd glow for freedom, while they freeze; And, in proportion to the coldness, For thus 'tis Montesquieu explains 20 bold 'Till, quite o'erpow'r'd, the sick'ning soul, Thus air each impulse can impart, To that thermometer, the heart. ; Thanks, mighty Jove, thy sovereign care, Environs us with Northern air! Our atmosphere to honor leads, Inspires the breast to hardy deeds; 30 The heart beats quick ;—the spirits rise; Yet, (for extremes evʼn virtue mar) – To gentler climes, and milder skies. 40 To moderate this bold extreme, How many Questions have been lost, Like strings of wild geese, in hard weather ; The tender bloom of ways and means, That North with wit and wisdom screens, Too oft their adverse influence feels, Shrinks from the storm, and half congeals; That, ev'n in all his blushing grace, Bamber scarce thaws them, with—his face. Whence then, in spite of sense and reason, Do statesmen choose this adverse season? bo Why not the parliament adjourn, 'Till summer's genial suns return ? And say ye sportsmen, wou'd a member Winter, stern pow'r! must still create A simple plan the Muse explains; Nor asks a patent for her pains. In either house, below the chairs, Where Bathurst rules, and Norton glares, There stands a table, where they place The votes, the journals, and the mace: 89 "Hence with that bauble!" Cromwell cried; And wisely too; 'tis useless pride; Hence with it all! it fills a place. A nobler ornament shall grace. Here with capacious bulk, profound As Falstaff's paunch, as Plymouth's round, A vast Buzaglo, day by day, Shall chase the noxious blasts away, And spread an artificial glow, Tho' Palace-yard be wrapt in snow.— σ σ |