  (NOT A SPORTING ONE.) My Dear Mr. Editor. —I have been for some time troubled by a slight longing to illustrate the title-page (or rather the Cover and its pretty pages) of the Miscellany. Today I was taken suddenly worse with this desperate symptom of the cacoethes scribendi, but at length being safely delivered of the following doggrel, you will be glad to hear that I am now "as well as can be expected." THE SONG OF THE COVER. "Sing a song of half-a-crown— Lay it out this minute: Buy the book, for half the town Want to know what's in it. Had you all the cares of Job, You'd then forget your troubles," Cried Cupid, seated on the globe, Busy blowing bubbles. Rosy Summer, pretty Spring, See them scattering flowers— "Catch who can!" the song they sing: Hearts-ease fall in showers. Autumn, tipsy with the grape, Plays a pipe and tabor; Winter imitates the ape, Mocking at his neighbour. Bentley, Boz, and Cruikshank, stand, Like expectant reelers— "Music!"—"Play up!"—pipe in hand, Beside the fluted pillars! Boz and Cruikshank want to dance, None for frolic riper, But Bentley makes the first advance, Because he "pays the piper." "Then sing a song of half-a-crown, And make a merry race on't To buy the book, all London town; There's wit upon the face on't. Had you all the cares of Job, You'd then forget your troubles," Cried Cupid, seated on the globe, Busy blowing bubbles. |
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