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 Pacolet's horse Young Quince took his course, In the hazard of war, To prevent all mischances by flight. Let the nation's scum, For the time that's to come, When his heels to Breda made his way. That head-piece of thine On one of the Parliament benches : 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. UPON THE POPE'S GIVING A CARDINAL'S CAP TO A JESUIT, ON THE DEATH OF CARDINAL DE TOURNON. TOURNON, the illustrious cardinal, is dead! The pope, however, unconcerned stands, And puts a Jesuit in his place. Men wonder at it; but the pope well knows THE FABLE OF THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS. THE members on a time did meet, And were resolved, with hands and feet, The idle paunch they all decreed An idle sluggish part, Which never did, in time of need, Aid or assist the heart. So 'twas resolved in Parliament, Nemine contradicente, That trustees should be thither sent But when they found the Belly flagg'd Lest that, one member waxing low The whole should be decay'd. THE HUMBLE PETITION OF GOSSIP JOAN TO HER FRIEND, A NORTH BRITAIN LADY,' WHO HAD PROMISED HER SOME SNUFF AT HER RETURN OUT OF SCOTLAND. IN forma pauperis I to you Thus by petition humbly show: Our little isle being barren of mundungus, Our promises, I do yours claim; Which you may break, as we, at will, Or, if it please, you may fulfil. Since thus united we possess you, When you make us sneeze, we cry, God bless you. The snuff which you encouraged me To hope for, will be charity; Which to your slave when you convey, * "Whom he brings in among us, B. C. And bribes with mundungus."-Lady's Lamentation. |