V.

At length Jack Skyscrape, a mercurial man, Who fluttered over all things like a fan, More brave than firm, and more disposed to dare And die at once than wrestle with despair, Exclaimed, "G--d damn!"--those syllables intense,-- Nucleus of England's native eloquence, As the Turk's "Allah!" or the Roman's more Pagan "Proh Jupiter!" was wont of yore To give their first impressions such a vent, By way of echo to embarrassment.[fq] 130 Jack was embarrassed,--never hero more, And as he knew not what to say, he swore: Nor swore in vain; the long congenial sound Revived Ben Bunting from his pipe profound; He drew it from his mouth, and looked full wise, But merely added to the oath his _eyes_; Thus rendering the imperfect phrase complete, A peroration I need not repeat.