VERSES, WRITTEN DURING LORD CARTERET'S ADMINISTRATION OF IRELAND. As Lord Carteret's residence in Ireland as Viceroy was a series of cabals against the authority of the Prime Minister, he failed not, as well from his love of literature as from his hatred to Walpole, to attach to himself as much as possible the distinguished author of the Drapier Letters. By the interest which Swift soon gained with the Lord-Lieutenant, he was enabled to recommend several friends, whose High Church or Tory principles had hitherto obstructed their preferment. The task of forwarding the views of Delany, in particular, led to several of Swift's liveliest poetical effusions, while, on the other hand, he was equally active in galling, by his satire, Smedley, and other Whig beaux esprits, who, during this amphibious administration, sought the favour of a literary Lord-Lieutenant, by literary offerings and poetical adulation. These pieces, with one or two connected with the same subject, are here thrown together, as they seem to reflect light upon each other. A LADY, wise as well as fair, Whose conscience always was her care, Thoughtful upon a point of moment, Would have the text as well as comment: So hearing of a grave divine, She sent to bid him come to dine. But, you must know he was not quite Thought human learning would not lessen And if you'd heard the man discourse, Suspected for the love he bore To one who swayed some time before; The message told, he gapes and stares, VOL. XIV. 2 A But then the squire so trim and nice, He stopp'd, and could not tell what ail'd him. Why certainly the captain rav'd? To dine with her! and come at three! Or maybe I mistook the word; My lady-it must be my lord. My lord's abroad; my lady too : What must the unhappy doctor do; "Is Captain Cracherode* here, pray?"-"No." I'm sure he call'd me by my name; * The gentleman who brought the message. My lady now returning home, Calls, "Cracherode, is the Doctor come? The captain walks about, and searches In vain--no doctor's to be found. My lady could not choose but wonder; I'll try his manners once again; The captain was a man of reading, Is dress'd, and stealing through the crowd, The captain too-he did not know Call'd her good nature to relieve him ; And would not only grant his suit, But visit him, and eat some fruit, He told the real truth in rhyme ; |