Oliver Goldsmith 1729-1774 Poem by John A. Hancock

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