Stray leaves from the portfolios of Alisander the seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle

STRAY LEAVES.
87
Though a low fawning hypocrite long it has been,
In its own proper colours and shape ’tis now seen,
And it never will manage to gull people more
By its canting and whining, as it did before.
We therefore would warn it to keep in its den.
Nor trouble us more, with its tongue or its pen.
Else a sure castigation awaiteth it still.
If it dare to persist in its courses of ill.
This correction which we for the present bestow,
Is nothing to what it shall yet undergo.
If it do not repent, and its manners amend,
And make it its study no more to offend.
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To conclude, we would warn it again to beware.
For the Lion of Britain is roused from his lair.
And should it much longer his anger provoke.
The result might be worse than the loss of its cloak;
For though he would scorn the vile creature to hurt.
He might—on’t, and—on’t, and roll’t in the dirt.
THE POLITICAL CHAMELEON:
OR,
BAULDY UNMASKED.
A True Portrait, to be exhibited to the good folks of G .
Have you heard of the reptile that changes its hue.
From the black to the white, from the red to the blue,
From the brown to the buff, from the grey to the green.
Yet scarcely is twice in the same colour seen;