Song LXXXII. Administration

See this Bumper, Bucks be gay, I scorn all imposition; If you'll pledge my Toast you may, 'Tis Courtship's Coalition. When two parties close embrace, And separation smother, He is upright in his place, And downright is the other.

Whether 'tis to rise or fall, Yet still his time improving, In the Cockpit at Whitehall The best of measures moving, Outs will sometimes Ins become, 'Twixt both sides bold he ventures, Pushing things with vigour home, Administration enters.

Certain of a strong support, Each op'ning he embraces, All the time he stays at Court His friends preserve their places. The Members he depends upon, When plac'd in proper Station, The Star above the Garter won At Beauty's Installation.

In Love and State exact the same, Respecting Mankind's wishes, ALL the Cupboard's Key wou'd gain To plunder Loaves and Fishes. Placemen England have disgrac'd, The daily papers tell us, Howsoe'er you have men plac'd Non Placets will be jealous.

Ministers may Places fill, I buy none, nor am selling; A Thatch'd House underneath the Hill Is what I chuse to dwell in. Tho' it has no high-rais'd Roof, Yet Prospects can command, Sir; Not so low, but Room enough For me upright to stand, Sir.

On the Hill, along the Dale, I sometimes turn a Rover, Then within the Mossy Vale I slily creep to Cover. There's the Sport, and that's the Spot, 'Tis Pleasure's wild Plantation, Lest the Toast shou'd be forgot— Here's Love's Association.