Poets of John Company. Theodore Oliver Douglas Dunn

That virtues and vices, that duties and crimes.

       May change with the latitudes, countries, and climes.

       Here Edmund committed his honour and word

       To prove moral geography vastly absurd;

       And by way of a secret, their Lordships were told

       That truth's not affected by heat or by cold;

       "Far better," says he, "when the English went thither,

       "Had they call'd the inhabitant natives together;

       "And instead of subduing, or them over-reaching,

       "Had busy'd themselves with evangelic preaching.

       "No converts made they to the Christian religion,

       "But pluck'd the rich blacks like the wing of a pigeon.

       "For there was the Company's government built

       "Upon plunder, and rapine, and all kinds of guilt;

       "In a system like this, 'tis no matter of wonder,

       "If all were inspired by the spirit of plunder.

       "There was not a captain, nor scarce a seapoy,

       "But a Prince would depose, or a Bramin destroy;"

       Here the Hero digressed, and related some tales

       Of a prince to be slain, as he thought, by three seals.

       How Nabobs, and Ministers had been opprest.

       And the innocent natives with famine distrest.

      ​

      Now Edmund returns to his well-belov'd theme;

       To prove Hastings' power should not be supreme;

       The Government rule 'twas his duty to draw

       From Coke upon Littleton, writers on law:

       And whenever their Lordships shall come to decide,

       Burke hoped they would take British laws for their guide;

       'Tis contended, says he, by the party accus'd,

       We should govern by laws to which subjects are used.

       But, my Lords, I maintain, 'tis expedient and fitting,

       To govern the world by the laws of Great Britain;

       Nor do I conceive that it matters a jot.

       With respect to the laws, if they knew them or not.

       And the prisoner, I trust, will be try'd and attainted

       By those laws alone, with which I am acquainted.

       Here this letter ends, but expect, my dear Brother,

       When Edmund resumes I will send you another.

      ​

ANONYMOUS.

       Table of Contents

      1800.

The Art of Living in India.

       Table of Contents

      No more shall tragic stories fill our rhymes

       Come turn and look at life in softer climes;

       In Eastern India's realm pursue the route,

       Where passions burn within, and Suns without.

       Calcutta, lo! as London o'er the Thames,

       Lifts her high head above old Hougly's streams:

       There, Novice, fix your residence, and try

       To scan the passing scene with curious eye;

       The motley mass of various life discern.

       And put in practice quickly what you learn.

       First, if you mean to gain a due respect,

       (And what so terrible as cold neglect!)

       Let eight trim bearers uniformly dress'd

       Attend your palanquin of modern taste;

       Fly at a call, and bring you here and there

       To laugh and chatter—God knows what or where,

       In vulgar eyes a palanquin has charms.

       But on the shining sides emblaze your arms,

       This elegant convenience first procure,

       Before you thrust your nose without the door.

       Let a long train, obsequious at a call.

       Attend in order round your spacious hall;

       At breakfast seated, let the shining plate,

       Arrang'd with splendour, indicate your state;

       For taste superior, gracious Heaven invoke.

       And learn that fashionable art—to smoke!

       The breakfast ended, on a couch reclin'd.

       The grateful hookah will relax the mind;

       'Tis then the crouching slaves our orders take.

       Before they know what we're about to speak:

       But if some low born creditor should come.

       Be sure give orders then, you're not at home.

      ​

      In 'kill time visits' pass away the noon,

       And 'chit chat parties' never leave too soon;

       Hear how they talk of politics, and how

       The news of the confederate armies go;

       Or rather with the laughing Ladies play.

       And spend in fiddle faddle half the day.

       Since now you bask in Fortune's sunny ray.

       Give, give, your rolling gold to live the day.

       Not like the griping set who save and spare

       To perish wretched in cold northern air.

       When'er your easy mistress goes abroad,

       Then let the pomp of Flavius fill the road;

       Let six chubdars your silver sticks display,

       And shading punkas mitigate the day;

       Let emeralds set, her slender wrists enfold,

       And all her purfled vestments shine with gold:

       Let her, ah! let her thus genteely ride,

       While, as she comes, we starers sneak aside.

       When she's at home (how dear the thoughts of home)

       Keep her secluded in a separate dome

       Conscious to love and the soft hours of joy.

       Let her mid fragrant oils the noon employ;

       Let her there, wrapp'd in robes of costly lawn.

       Enjoy the sweets of aromatic pawn.

       While servile daees, in flowing cloth array'd.

       By turns attend, and fan your charming maid.

       Yes, yes, ye Gods, sure such is earthly bliss.

       What would I give to be the Lord of this!

       Ye shapely Nymphs, who form my pleasing theme

       Ye, born where Ganga rolls her hallow'd stream.

       Accept these numbers, written with spirit free,

       I love your India and your India me!

       Thus I've selected, with a judgment nice,