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NEW-YEAR'S-GIFT for BEC.*

Written in the Year м DCC XXIII-IV.

RETURNING

ETURNING Janus now prepares,
For Bec, a new fupply of cares,

Sent in a bag to Doctor Swift,
Who thus difplays the New-year's-gift.

First, this large parcel brings you tidings Of our good Dean's eternal chidings; Of Nelly's pertnefs, Robin's leafings, And Sheridan's perpetual teazings. This box is cramm'd on ev'ry fide With Stella's magisterial pride. Behold a cage with fparrows fill'd, First to be fondled, then be kill'd. Now to this hamper I invite you, With fix imagin'd cares to fright you. Here in this bundle Janus fends Concerns by thousands for your friends: And here's a pair of leathern pokes, To hold your cares for other folks.

Mrs. Rebecca Dingley, Stella's friend and companion.

U 3

Here

Here from this barrel you may broach
A peck of troubles for a coach.

This ball of wax your ears will darken,
Still to be curious, never hearken.

Left you the town may have less trouble in,
Bring all your Quilca* cares to Dublin,
For which he fends this empty fack;
And fo take all upon your back.

* A country houfe of Dr. Sheridan's.

BEC's

1

BEC'S BIRTH-DA Y.

NOVEMBER 8th, D MCC XXVI.

THIS day, dear Bec, is thy nativity,
Had fate a lucky'r one, fhe'd give it ye:
She chose a thread of greatest length
And doubly twisted it for strength;
Nor will be able with her fhears
To cut it off these forty years.
Then, who fays care will kill a cat'?
Rebecca fhews they're out in that.
For fhe, tho' over-run with care,
Continues healthy, fat, and fair.

As, if the gout should feize the head,
Doctors pronounce the patient dead;
But, if they can, by all their arts,
Eject it to th' extreameft parts,

They give the fick man joy, and praise
The gout that will prolong his days:
Rebecca thus I gladly greet,

Who drives her cares to hands and feet;

For, tho' philofophers maintain

The limbs are guided by the brain,
Quite contrary Rebecca's led,

Her hands and feet conduct her head,
By arbitrary pow'r convey her
She ne'er confiders why, or where:

Her hands may meddle, feet may wonder,
Her head is but a mere by-ftander:
And all her buftling but fupplies
The part of wholesome exercife:
Thus, nature hath refolv'd to pay her
The cat's nine lives and eke the care.

Long may she live, and help her friends Whene'er it fuits her private ends; Domeftic business never mind

"Till coffee has her ftomach lin'd;
But, when her breakfast gives her courage,
Then, think on Stella's chicken porridge;
I mean when Tyger* has been ferv'd,
Or elfe

poor Stella may be starv'd,

May Bec have many an evening nap
With Tyger flabb'ring in her lap;
But always take a special care
She does not overfet the chair;
Still be the curious, never hearken
To any fpeech but Tyger's barking,

And, when he's in another fcene,
Stella long dead, but first the Dean,
May Fortune and her coffee get her
Companions that will please her better;

* Mrs. Dingley's favourite lap-dog. Sec Verfes on him, Vol. XIV. p. 151.

Whole

Whole afternoons will fit befide her,
Nor for neglects or blunders chide her;
A goodly fet as can be found

Of hearty goffips prating round;
Fresh from a wedding, or a chrift'ning,
To teach her ears the art of lift'ning,
And please her more to hear them tattle
Than the Dean ftorm, or Stella rattle.

Late be her death, one gentle nod,
When Hermes, waiting with his rod,
Shall to elyfian fields invite her,
Where there will be no cares to fright her.