An Epigram on the Commerce of the House of Commons...', undated (Series 86.09) - No. 0001

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                                        An Epigram

on the Commerce of the house of Commons usualy Calld the Commerce of Taste

Ye Grave Legislators of Talents so Small
Who've put Round downleys marbles statues a mouldy church wall
Who have spread desolation abroad, far & wide.
To exhibit the Old Abbeys Buttressed Backside
and as Guy Vaux put gunpowder into the Celler
Placd Cloaca where pure Justice plainly can smell her.
Who have built at the Parliament much honord doors
in a Style Gothic architects nere saw before
and at Cost which all past & due calculations beguiles
Lodgd housd the Speaker in cloysters & chapels & Ailes
Sure the Commons have provd by incautious Selection Election
and by making presumption the Ground of Selection
and by Confidence boundless most sadly misplaced
Tho their votes can make Laws, that their choice cant give Taste,

Novr 1807