The Jackall, Leopard, And Beasts Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BBCCDDEEFFGGHH IIJJJJKKLLJJJJ MMJJNOPPQQJJRR JJJJ SSJJTT JJUUJJJJVV AAKK WWXXAAYYZA2B2B2 C2C2D2D2C2C2| To a Modern Politician | A |
| - | |
| - | |
| I grant these facts corruption sways | B |
| Self interest does pervert man's ways | B |
| That bribes do blind that present crimes | C |
| Do equal those of former times | C |
| Can I against plain facts engage | D |
| To vindicate the present age | D |
| I know that bribes in modern palm | E |
| Can nobler energies encalm | E |
| That where such argument exists | F |
| There itching is in modern fists | F |
| And hence you hold that politicians | G |
| Should drive their nails on such conditions | G |
| So they might penetrate sans bending | H |
| And win your way past comprehending | H |
| - | |
| Premising no reflection's meant | I |
| Unto such doctrine I dissent | I |
| The barrister is bound to plead | J |
| Upon the side on which he 's fee'd | J |
| And so in every other trade | J |
| Is duty by the guinea paid | J |
| Man we are taught is prone to evil | K |
| That does not vindicate the devil | K |
| Besides man in his own behoof | L |
| Contrives to hide the cloven hoof | L |
| Nor is corruption of late date | J |
| 'Twas known in every age and state | J |
| And where corruption was employed | J |
| The public welfare was destroyed | J |
| - | |
| Next see court minions in disgrace | M |
| Stripped of their treasure stripped of place | M |
| What now is all their pride and boast | J |
| The servile slave the flattering host | J |
| The tongues that fed him with applause | N |
| The noisy champions of their cause | O |
| They press the foremost to accuse | P |
| His selfish jobs and paltry views | P |
| Ah me short sighted were the fools | Q |
| And false aye false the hireling tools | Q |
| Was it such sycophants to get | J |
| Corruption swelled the public debt | J |
| This motto would not shine amiss | R |
| Write Point d'argent et point de Suisse | R |
| - | |
| The lion is the noblest brute | J |
| With parts and valour past dispute | J |
| And yet it is by all averred | J |
| His rule to jackalls is transferred | J |
| - | |
| A rascal jackall once on law | S |
| And property put down his paw | S |
| The forest groaned brute discontent | J |
| And swore its injuries to resent | J |
| The jackall heard it and with fear | T |
| He saw disgrace approaching near | T |
| - | |
| He said and thought I must defeat | J |
| Malicious tongues and guard my seat | J |
| Strengthen myself with new allies | U |
| And then this clamour may despise | U |
| Unto the generous brutes he fawned | J |
| The generous brutes the jackall scorned | J |
| What must he do Friends must be made | J |
| And proselytes by bribes be paid | J |
| For think not a brute's paw withstands | V |
| The bribe which dirties human hands | V |
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| A hog o'er cabbage said his benison | A |
| The wolf was won by haunch of venison | A |
| A pullet won the fox a thistle | K |
| Tickled the donkey's tongue of gristle | K |
| - | |
| But now the royal leopard rose | W |
| The tricksy jackall to oppose | W |
| And as the rats will leave in lurch | X |
| The falling walls of house or church | X |
| So did each briber cut and run | A |
| To worship at the rising sun | A |
| The hog with warmth expressed his zeal | Y |
| So did the wolf for public weal | Y |
| But claimed their venison and cabbage | Z |
| The fox the like without disparage | A2 |
| Unto his perquisites of geese | B2 |
| The donkey asked a common's lease | B2 |
| - | |
| Away the leopard said ye crew | C2 |
| Whose conscience honesty ne'er knew | C2 |
| Away I say with all the tribe | D2 |
| Who dare to ask or take a bribe | D2 |
| Cudgels and not rewards are due | C2 |
| To such time serving tools as you | C2 |
John Gay
(1)
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