The English Spy, page 59 by Bernard Blackmantle
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g been the custom at Eton, particularly during Montem, to give Herbert Stockhore the credit of many a satirical whim, which he, poor fellow, could as easily have penned as to have written a Greek ode. These squibs are sometimes very humorous, and are purposely written in doggrel verse to escape detection by the masters, who are not unfrequently the principal porsons alluded to.
4 The following laughable production was sold by poor Herbert Stockhore during the last Montem: we hardly think we need apologise for introducing this specimen of his muse: any account of Eton characteristics must have been held deficient without it.
THE MONTEM ODE. May 20, 1823.
Muses attend! the British channel flock o'er, Call'd by your most obedient servant, Stockhore. Aid me, O, aid me, while I touch the string; Montem and Captain Barnard's praise I sing; Captain Barnard, the youth so noble and bright, That none dare dispute his worthy right To that gay laurel which his brother wore, In times that 1 remember long before. What are Olympic honours compared to thine, 0 Captain, when Majesty does combine With heroes, their wives, sons and daughters great, To visit this extremely splendid fête. Enough! I feel a sudden inspiration fill My bowels; just as if the tolling bell Had sent forth sounds a floating all along the air Just such Parnassian sounds, though deaf, I'm sure I hear.
~62~~
May misery never press thee hard, Ne'er may disease thy steps attend: Listen, ye gents; rude Boreas hold your tongue! The pomp advances, and my lyre is strung. First comes Marshal Thackeray, Dress'd out in crack array; Ar'nt he a whacker, eh? His way he picks, Follow'd by six, Like a hen by her chicks:
Enough! he's gone. As this martial Marshall Is to music partial, The bandsmen march all
His heels upon. He who hits the balls such thumps, King of cricket-bats and stumps,-- Barnard comes; Sound the drums--
Silence! he's past. Eight fair pages, Of different ages,
Follow fast. Next comes