Who laments Oliver Goldsmith <br />Only the club did so at the time <br />A hodge-podge of intellectuals <br />Dispensing caustic wit whilst they dined <br />Winking o'er rims of pewter <br />Smiling innocently at mirth's behest <br />Sharp tongues jousting congenially <br />Revealing the failings each of them possess <br />Goldsmith baring oft the brunt <br />Of the circle's smarting puns <br />Dury Lane's favor'd thesbian <br />The poet's pride he often stung <br />Twas only when death hovering nigh <br />Reach'd out the muse to claim <br />That thru his pen to seek revenge <br />To the dying poet came <br />How keen the humorous subtle way <br />He the James Street nine described <br />His one last jest friends deem'd the best <br />For not a cruel word had he scribed <br />Thus from the grave did Goldsmith prove <br />In 'Retaliation' the brilliant gift he bore <br />When from his lofty realm above <br />He evened up the score<br /><br />John A. Hancock<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/oliver-goldsmith-1729-1774/
