The following poems are extracted from the manuscript of Lord Lanesborough, called the Whimsical Medley. They are here inserted in deference to the opinion of a most obliging correspondent, who thinks they may be juvenile attempts of Swift. I own I cannot discover much internal evidence in support of the supposition.

ON MR. ROBARTS,

BY THE NAME OF PETER QUINCE.

As one Peter Quince,
With one grain of sense,
And courage to equal his wit,
From a beau of the town
Went to purchase renown,
But return'd without ever a whit;

With Pacolet's horse

Young Quince took his course,
Despising some fools that would fight :
And wisely took care,

In the hazard of war,

To prevent all mischances by flight.

Let the nation's scum,

For the time that's to come,
Lose a leg or an arm in the fray :
War's at best but mere stuff;

Peter Quince had enough,

When his heels to Breda made his way.

That head-piece of thine
Will much better shine

On one of the Parliament benches:
But, on second thought,

Wit is always best bought,

And, Quince, be thou safe among [wenches.]

For all thy ill stars,

In the house thou hast peers,

Or else the dull fools would ne'er choose you,

Of taxes complain,

But shun the campaign,

For soldiers will always abuse thee.

Thy pretty white hand

Was never design'd

To meddle with dirty cold iron;

You know you were made

For another guess trade,

When thy beauties the ladies environ.

The noblest pride

Always will ride,

In Peter, top and top-gallant,

And Cutler's coin*

Made Quince for to shine,

And scorn the poor rogues that are valiant.

* Sir John Cutler, a noted usurer.