Roundabout Papers - Penn State University

Thackeraystrewed with the bones of the victims whom the monsterhad devoured? O insatiate brute, and most disgusting,brazen, and scaly reptile! Let us be thankful, children,that it has not gobbled us up too. Quick. Let usturn away, and pray that we may be kept out of thereach of his horrible maw, jaw, claw!When I first came up to London, as innocent as MonsieurGil Blas, I also fell in with some pretty acquaintances,found my way into several caverns, and deliveredmy purse to more than one gallant gentleman ofthe road. One I remember especially—one who nevereased me personally of a single maravedi—one thanwhom I never met a bandit more gallant, courteous,and amiable. Rob me? Rolando feasted me; treated meto his dinner and his wine; kept a generous table for hisfriends, and I know was most liberal to many of them.How well I remember one of his speculations! It was agreat plan for smuggling tobacco. Revenue officers wereto be bought off; silent ships were to ply on the Thames;cunning depots were to be established, and hundredsof thousands of pounds to be made by the coup. Howhis eyes kindled as he propounded the scheme to me!How easy and certain it seemed! It might have succeeded,I can’t say: but the bold and merry, the heartyand kindly Rolando came to grief—a little matter ofimitated signatures occasioned a Bank persecution ofRolando the Brave. He walked about armed, and vowedhe would never be taken alive: but taken he was; tried,condemned, sentenced to perpetual banishment; and Iheard that for some time he was universally popular inthe colony which had the honor to possess him. What asong he could sing! ’Twas when the cup was sparklingbefore us, and heaven gave a portion of its blue, boys,blue, that I remember the song of Roland at the “OldPiazza Coffee-house.” And now where is the “Old PiazzaCoffee-house?” Where is Thebes? where is Troy? whereis the Colossus of Rhodes? Ah, Rolando, Rolando! thouwert a gallant captain, a cheery, a handsome, a merry.At ME thou never presentedst pistol. Thou badest thebumper of Burgundy fill, fill for me, giving those whopreferred it champagne. Caelum non animum, &c. Doyou think he has reformed now that he has crossed the259