Cotton And Corn [A Dialogue]
by
Said Cotton to Corn, t’other day,
As they met and exchanged a salute–
(Squire Corn in his carriage so gay,
Poor Cotton half famished on foot):
“Great Squire, if it isn’t uncivil
“To hint at starvation before you,
“Look down on a poor hungry devil,
“And give him some bread, I implore you!”
Quoth Corn then in answer to Cotton,
Perceiving he meant to make free—
“Low fellow, you’ve surely forgotten
“The distance between you and me!
“To expect that we Peers of high birth
“Should waste our illustrious acres,
“For no other purpose on earth
“Than to fatten curst calico-makers!–
“That Bishops to bobbins should bend–
“Should stoop from their Bench’s sublimity,
“Great dealers in lawn, to befriend
“Such contemptible dealers in dimity!
“No–vile Manufacture! ne’er harbor
“A hope to be fed at our boards;–
“Base offspring of Arkwright the barber,
“What claim canst thou have upon Lords?
“No–thanks to the taxes and debt,
“And the triumph of paper o’er guineas,
“Our race of Lord Jemmys, as yet,
“May defy your whole rabble of Jennys!”
So saying–whip, crack, and away
Went Corn in his chaise thro’ the throng,
So headlong, I heard them all say,
“Squire Corn will be down before long.”