We have lost our estate here, before we have seen it. O here I spy Down, cast your eye to the west, Where a windmill so stately stands plainly confest. On the west, replied Matthew, no windmill I find; As well thou mayst tell me, I see the west wind: Now pardon me, Morley, the windmill I spy, blind: The mill stands before; and the house lies behind. O, now a low ruin'd white shed I discern, A barn! why you rave: 'tis a house for a squire, A house should be built, or with brick, or with stone. Why 'tis plaster and lath; and I think that's all one; And such as it is, it has stood with great fame, Been called a hall, and has given its name To Down, down, hey derry down. O Morley! O Morley! if that be a hall, With your friend Jemmy Gibbs* about buildings agree; My business is land; and it matters not me. I wish you could tell what a deuce your head ails: I show'd you Down-Hall; did you sailles? look for Ver [you, Then take house and farm as John Ballet will let For better for worse, as I took my Dame Betty. And now, Sir, a word to the wise is enough: Are you young and rich, like the master of Wimple?+ If you have these whims of apartments and gardens, From twice fifty acres you'll ne'er see five farthings: And in yours I shall find the true gentleman's fate; Ere you finish your house, you'll have spent your estate. part. Now let us touch thumbs, and be friends ere we [heart. Here, John, is my thumb. And here, Mat, is my To Halstead I speed; and you go back to town. Thus ends the first part of the ballad of Down. Derry down, down, hey derry down. * James Gibbs, architect of the Ratcliffe Library, Oxford, and many other buildings. + Edward Earl of Oxford. VERSES SPOKEN TO LADY HENRIETTA CAVENDISH-HOLLES HARLEY, COUNTESS OF Oxford. IN THE LIBRARY OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, NOVEMBER 9, 1719. MADAM, SINCE Anna visited the muses' seat (Around her tomb let weeping angels wait!) In virtues and in arts great Oxford's heir; Writings of men our thoughts to-day neglects, And their great followers whom this house has bred, *The family seat was then at Wimple. Their pious incense let our neighbours bring, Your eyes we bless, your praises we proclaim, In spite of time, we keep our ancient vow; PROLOGUE TO THE ORPHAN, REPRESENTED BY SOME OF THE WESTMINSTER ROOM, FEBRUARY 2, 1720. SPOKEN BY LORD DUPPLIN, WHO ACTED CORDELIO WHAT! Would my humble comrades have me say, Such work by hireling actors should be done, * Sir T. White, founder of St. John's College, Oxon. + Archbishop Laud also was a generous benefactor. A few lines of this prologue occur in another, which is printed at p. 206. Ours is the damage, if we chance to blunder; Shall we procure you symphony and sound? If once refus'd, we'll trouble you no more, HUSBAND AND WIFE. H. OH! with what woes am I oppress'd! But if they wont, I'll wail and cry. * Masters of Westminster school. |