Some wag obferves me thus perplext, Tells me, I have more zeal than wit; 35 you shove, "But rudely prefs before a duke." I own, I'm pleas'd with this rebuke, 40 And take it kindly meant to fhow What I defire the world fhould know. I get a whisper, and withdraw, When twenty fools I never faw Come with petitions fairly penn'd, Defiring I wou'd ftand their friend. 45 This humbly offers me his cafe That begs my int'reft for a place An hundred other men's affairs Like bees are humming in my ears. "To-morrow my appeal comes on, "Without your help the cause is gone". 59 35. Quid vis, infane, et quas res agis? improbus urget, Iratis precibus, tu pulfes omne quod obftat, Ad Mecenatem memori fi mente recurras. Hoc juvat, et melli eft, non mentiar. 44. —— Aliena negotia centum Per caput et circa faliunt latus. The "" my The duke expects my lord and you About fome great affair at two--"Put my lord Bolingbroke in mind "To get my warrant quickly fign'd: "Confider, 'tis my first request. Be fatisfy'd, I'll do best: Then presently he falls to teize, "You may for certain, if you please; 60 "I doubt not, if his lordship knew "And, mr. dean, one word from you”. 'Tis (let me fee) three years and more (October next it will be four) Since Harley bid me first attend, And chofe me for an humble friend; Wou'd take me in his coach to chat, And queftion me of this and that; As, "What's o'clock?" and, the wind? 65 "how's 55 60. Si vis, potes, addit et inftat. 63. Septimus olavo propior jam fugerit annus, "Whose chariot's that we left behind?" 70 Or gravely try to read the lines Writ underneath the country figns; Or," have you nothing new to-day "From Pope, from Parnel, or from Gay?" Such << Such tattle often entertains My lord and me as far as Stains, As once a week we travel down To Windfor, and again to town, Where all that paffes inter nos. Might be proclaim'd at Charing-cross.80 Yet fome I know with envy fwell, Because they see me us'd fo well: "How think you of our friend the dean? "I wonder what fome people mean; My lord and he are grown fo great, 85 Always together, tête à tête "What, they admire him for his jokes "See but the fortune of fome folks!" There flies about a ftrange report Of fome express arriv'd at court, I'm ftopp'd by all the fools I meet, And catechis'd in ev'ry street. "You, mr. dean, frequent the great; "Inform us, will the emp'ror treat? "Or, do the prints and papers lye ?" 95 Faith, fir, you know as much as I. "Ah! doctor, how you love to jeft! ""Tis now no fecret". -I protest -- Subjectior in diem et horam Invidia. 89. Frigidus à roftris manat per compita rumor; Quicunque obvius eft, me confulit. 81. 75 90 'Tis 100 'Tis one to me.---" Then tell us, pray, "When are the troops to have their Pay?" And though I folemnly declare I know no more than my lord-mayor, They stand amaz’d, and think me grown The closeft mortal ever known. 105 Thus in a sea of folly tofs'd My choiceft hours of life are loft; Yet always wishing to retreat, Oh, could I see my country-feat! There leaning near a gentle brook, Sleep, or perufe fome ancient book! 110 And there in fweet oblivion drown Those cares that haunt the court and town! 101. Jurantem me fcire nibil, mirantur, ut unum Scilicet egregii mortalem altique filenti. 108. O rus, quando ego te afpiciam, quandoque licebit Nunc veterum libris, nunc fomno, et inertibus horis Ducere follicite jucunda oblivia vita? * THE HAPPY LIFE OF A COUNTRY PARSON. In Imitation of MARTIAL. PARS ARSON, these things in thy poffeffing Are better than the bishop's bleffing. A wife that makes conferves; a freed That carries double when there's need; October ftore, and beft Virginia, Tythe-pig, and mortuary guinea; Gazettes fent gratis down, and frank'd, For which thy patron's weekly thank'd; A large concordance, bound long fince; Sermons to Charles the firft, when prince; A chronicle of ancient standing; A Chryfoftom to fmooth thy band in; The Polyglott,---three parts,---my text, Howbeit,---likewife ---now to ---now to my next, Lo here the Septuagint,---and Paul, To fum the whole, the clofe of all. He that has these, may pafs his life, Drink with the 'fquire, and kifs his wife; On Sundays preach, and eat his fill; And faft on Fridays---if he will; -- Toaft |