William Combe

“ Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus, in the service of Sir. Jeffery Gourmand.
'Tis not the office of the Muse,
On slight suspicions, to accuse;
Nor does she now present to view
More than 'tis probable she knew:
But one day, and it may be more,
His constant meal of dainties o'er,
Dull nature did the Knight incline
To snore a little o'er his wine. ”

“ Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus with a Spendthrift.
Whene'er enquiry makes a stir
To trace the human character, 151
The strict and scrutinising eye
Must look for human frailty,
And will perceive as on we range,
Our dispositions prone to change,
Nor like the features of the face,
Fix'd on their first-born, native place. ”

“ Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus, interrupts a Tête a Tête.
To thinking minds it is not strange
That man is seen so soon to change,
And, when he gets on random chace,
To move so quick from place to place. ”

“ To please the old as well as young,
And study the expressive grace
That's seen to beam on any face;
When, in fair words and cautious mood
You may mark the similitude
Between the charms that smiling live,
And such as art like mine can give. ”

“ Your kind, protecting patronage,
And, among those of rank and wealth
Who make you guardian of their health,
Your favour may smile on my fate,
And I renew an household state,
Like that which crown'd my better days,
When I enjoy'd your frequent praise. ”

“ He was at first in virtue rear'd,
Nor do we fear, however cross'd,
His Virtue has been wholly lost:
Nor will our kind and honest muse
The hope, nay the belief refuse,
That, after all his follies past,
Much good may still remain at last
Which might, with Reason's aid, at length,
Be felt in more than former strength.
How this may happen we shall see
In our progressive history.
turned out of a house which he mistakes for his own
Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus turned out of a house which he mistakes for his own.
with creditors
Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus & Creditors. ”

“ Then St. Patrick, St. George and St. Andrew shall be
The Protectors of Kingdoms so brave and so free:
Thus in vain will the thunders of Denis be hurl'd,
For our Trio of Saints shall give laws to the world. ”

“ He no amass'd Pagodas brought
Whence treasures are so often sought:
Yet he, the favour'd lot of few,
As they bright fortune's track pursue,
Though India gave him mod'rate store,
Found plenteous wealth on Britain's shore. ”

“ THE favour which has been bestowed on the different Tours of Doctor Syntax, has encouraged the Writer of them to give a History of the Foundling, who has been thought an interesting Object in the latter of those Volumes; and it is written in the same style and manner, with a view to connect it with them.
This Child of Chance, it is presumed, is led through a track of Life not unsuited to the peculiarity of his Condition and Character, while its varieties, as in the former Works, are represented by the Pencil of Mr. Rowlandson with its accustomed characteristic Felicity. ”

“ Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus with a Portrait Painter.
Our Hero now was seen to wait
The threat'nings of impending fate:
That fate, but in the mildest tone,
Carmine delay'd not to make known.
"As you vie with me in my art,
'Tis clear, my friend, that we must part:
Your genius is so full of sport
That you must go,—I'm sorry for't! ”

“ He would drink and would sing and would rattle like thunder,
Though 'twas said, he was, now and then given to blunder.
Derry down, etc.
But the jests of his friends he took in good part,
For his blunders were nought but th' excess of his heart;
Though there was but one blunder he ever would own,
And that was when he saw all the claret was gone.
Derry down, etc.
He'd fight for his country's religion and laws,
And when beauty was injur'd he took up the cause,
For the gallant St. Patrick, as ev'ry one knows,
Was fond of a pretty girl under the rose. ”

“ Such effort is impossible.
All therefore, that I now can do
Is the forthcoming time to woo
With those endearments which may prove
Quæ Genus worthy of its love:
se of what is right,
al lamp burn bright."
officiating at a gaming table
Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus officiating at a Gaming House. ”

“ Of future scenery he might share. 209
committed with a riotous dancing party to the watch-house
Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus committed, with a riotous dancing Party, to the Watch-House.
Song.
It has long been agreed by all persons of learning
Who in stories of old have a ready discerning,
That in every country which travellers paint,
There has always been found a protector or saint.
Derry down, etc. 215
St. ”

“ Dare you look piteous? for then
You scurvy clown, I'll order ten.' Molly.
attending on a sporting finale
Drawn by Rowlandson
Quæ Genus attends a sporting Finale.
In drunken freaks Quæ Genus knew
Sense was oft gone and feeling too; 162
That legs might tables overturn,
And fallen lights would flare and burn ”