And grace my villa with his strains; For none but witlings there resort, Whose names and works (though dead) are Immortal by the Dunciad; And, sure as monument of brass, Their fame to future times shall pass; [made He dares defy both sense and wit. And coxcombs in red ribbons shine: DEAN SWIFT AT SIR ARTHUR ACHESON'S, IN THE NORTH OF IRELAND. THE Dean would visit Market-Hill, I said "Why let him, if he will:" His manners would not let him wait, Three days before he was expected. After a week, a month, a quarter, And day succeeding after day, Says not a word of his departure, Though not a soul would have him stay. I've said enough to make him blush, But he cares not for it a rush, Nor for my life will take the hint. But you, my dear, may let him know, How deep and foul the roads may grow, Or you may say—" My wife intends, Though I should be exceeding proud, 348 DEAN SWIFT AT SIR ARTHUR ACHESON'S. This winter to invite some friends, Or, "Mr. Dean-I should with joy Or Mr. Moore will take it ill.” The house accounts are daily rising; How much he eats, how much he swills. His brace of puppies how they stuff! O! if I could, how I would maul His beetle brows, and eyes of wall, Must I be every moment chid With 2 Skinnybonia, Snipe, and Lean? O! that I could but once be rid Of this insulting tyrant Dean! 1 The seat of Acheson Moore, Esq. in the county of Tyrone. -F. F. 2 The Dean used to call Lady Acheson by those names. ON A VERY OLD GLASS AT MARKET-HILL. FRAIL glass! thou mortal art as well as I; Though none can tell which of us first shall die. ANSWERED EXTEMPORE BY DR. SWIFT. WE both are mortal; but thou, frailer creature, May'st die, like me, by chance, but not by nature. ON CUTTING DOWN THE THORN, AT MARKET-HILL.1 1727. AT Market-Hill, as well appears 1 A village near the seat of Sir Arthur Acheson, where the Dean sometimes made a long visit. The tree, which was a remarkable one, was much admired by the knight. Yet the Dean, in one of his unaccountable humours, gave directions for cutting it down in the absence of Sir Arthur, who was, of course, highly incensed, nor would see Swift for some time after. By way of making his peace, the Dean wrote this poem; which had the desired effect.-Anderson. Hither came every village maid, And on the boughs her garland hung; Sir Archibald,1 that valorous knight, (Sir Archibald, whose favourite name But time with iron teeth, I ween, Has canker'd all its branches round; No fruit or blossom to be seen, Its head reclining toward the ground. This aged, sickly, sapless thorn, Cuts down with sacrilegious hand. Dame Nature, when she saw the blow, 1 Sir Archibald Acheson, secretary of State for Scotland.-F. 2 Drummond of Hawthornden, and Sir William Alexander Earl of Stirling, who were both friends of Sir Archibald, and famous for their poetry.-F. |