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WHERE grisly spikes surmount the lofty wall,

Spotted with chalk from many a whiten'd ball,

And long-drawn lines, traced featly on the ground,

The racket-master's territories bound;

Where stand three pumps, one while, perforce, the

thrones

Of B-lk-y, B-r-y, and of bolter (*) Jones;

A faded Dandy, once the prime and pride

Of Long's, of Bond-street, of the drive and ride,
Measured with mournful pace the Bench-parade,
And oft with wistful eye the wall survey'd;

And sigh'd for Cochrane's talent to climb o'er,

Or Cochrane's purse to pass him through the door.
His dress, once others' envy and his boast,

Not all its native stilishness had lost;

And still he seem'd, though shorn of many a ray,

Not less than some Arch-dandy in decay.

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His coat was yet a thing that Stultz might own, Though the slit sleeves long time his shirt had shown, And twice two buttons from the front had flown,

And, most legitimate, his neckcloth's tie

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With e'en an Ultra-dandy's still might vie,

And still the sweep with which his trowsers fell

Was such as Petersham might envy well;

And ill a three-day's beard became that face,

Which shone through all the grimness of the place.

Before him, as in melancholy mood

He paced the ground, a fellow-suff'rer stood,
Not long ago on town a dashing blade,

Fearless, or but of bailiff's touch afraid,

A Flash in Crawford-street, and known full well

At Fielder's and at Forty in Pall-Mall;

A jolly Caster, skill'd at billiards, too,
At rouge et noir, picquet, and tous-les-deux.

His long surtout was button'd close before,

And hid his shirt-if

any

shirt he wore,

His neckcloth, faded black, convenient wear,

Saved soap, and gave a military air;

His hat, though not a new one, cock'd aside,

Of smartness what was wanted thus supply'd;

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And still his bursting boots with iron shod

Gave a great sound, as o'er the flags he strode.
He join'd the Dandy; and, as they pursued
Their way together, this discourse ensued:

"I grieve," he cried, " to see you daily wear An aspect that betokens deep'ning care;

Bear up with spirit; let not Fortune's frown
Avail to cast your noble courage down.

The jade will change: a brighter card will come;
Another throw may bring a brighter doom:

It can't be always black: I've lived to learn
The longest run of evil luck may turn.
At Rouge, ere now, I've oft continued stout,
Though to a single counter quite cleaned out:
That single counter has return'd me more
Than all my losses for a month before.

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