Imagens da página
PDF
ePub

A curious fowl and 'sparagus I chose

(For I remember you were fond of those)

Three shillings cost the first, the last seven groats;
Sullen you turn from both, and call for oats.
Others bring goods and treasure to their hou
Something to deck their pretty babes and spo
My only token was a cup like horn,
That's made of nothing but a lady's corn.
'Tis not for that I grieve; no, 'tis to see
The groom and sorrel mare preferr'd to me!

These, for some moments when you deign to quit,
And, at due distance sweet discourse admit,
'Tis all my pleasure thy past toil to know;
For pleas'd remembrance builds delight on woe.
At ev'ry danger pants thy consort's breast,
And gaping infants squall to hear the rest.
How did I tremble, when by thousands bound,
I saw thee stretch'd on Lilliputian ground!
When scaling armies climb'd up every part,
Each step they trod I felt upon my heart.
But when thy torrent quench'd the dreadful blaze,
King, queen, and nation staring with amaze,
Full in my view how all my husband came !
And what extinguish'd theirs, increas'd myflame.
Those spectacles, ordain'd thine eyes to save,
Were once my present; love that armour gave.
How did I mourn at Bolgolam's decrce!
For, when he sign'd thy death, he sentenc'd me.
When folks might see thee all the country round
For sixpence, I'd have given a thousand pound.
Lord! when the giant babe that head of thine
Got in his mouth, my heart was up in mine!
When in the marrowbone I see thee ramm'd,
Or on the house-top by the monkey cramm'd,

[blocks in formation]

The piteous images renew my pain,

And all thy dangers I weep o'er again.
But on the maiden's nipple when you rid,
Pray heaven, 'twas all a wanton maiden did!
Glumdalclitch too!-with thee I mourn her case:
Heaven guard the gentle girl from all disgrace!
O may the king that one neglect forgive,
And pardon her the fault by which I live!
Was there no other way to set him free?
My life, alas! I fear prov'd death to thee.

O teach me, dear, new words to speak my flame!
Teach me to woo thee by the best lov'd name!
Whether the style of Grildrig please thee most,
So call'd on Brobdingnag's stupendous coast,
When on the monarch's ample hand you sate,
And halloo'd in his ear intrigues of state;
Or Quinbus Flestrin more endearment brings,
When like a mountain you look'd down on kings:
If ducal Nardac, Lilliputian peer,

Or Glumglum's humbler title sooth thine ear:
Nay, would kind Jove my organs so dispose,
To hymn harmonious Houyhnhnm thro' the nose,
I'd call thee Houyhnhnm, that high-sounding name;
Thy children's noses all should twang the same.
So might I find my loving spouse of course
Endued with all the virtues of a horse.

ΤΟ

ΤΟ

QUINBUS FLESTRIN,

THE

MAN-MOUNTAIN.

A LILLIPUTIAN ODE.

IN amaze

Lost I gaze!

Can our eyes
Reach thy size?

May my lays
Swell with praise,
Worthy thee!

Worthy me!

Muse, inspire
All thy fire!
Bards of old

Of him told,

When they said

Atlas' head

Propp'd the skies:

See! and believe your eyes!

See him stride

Vallies wide,

Över woods,

Over floods!
When he treads,

Mountains heads

Groan

Groan and shake:

Arinies quake;

Lest his spurn

Overturn

Man and steed:

Troops take heed!
Left and right,

Speed your flight!

Lest a host

Beneath his foot be lost!

Turn'd aside

From his hide

Safe from wound,

Darts rebound.

From his nose

Clouds he blows:

When he speaks,

Thunder breaks!

When he eats,

Famine threats!

When he drinks,

Neptune shrinks!
Nigh thy ear,
In mid air,

On thy hand

Let me stand

So shall I,

;

Lofty poet! touch the sky.

A GEN

A GENTLE ECHO ON WOMAN *.

IN THE DORICK MANNER.

SHEPHERD.

ECHO, I ween, will in the woods reply,
And quaintly answer questions: shall I try

SHEPHERD.

What must we do our passion to express ?

SHEPHERD.

?

ECHO. Try.

ECно. Press.

How shall I please her who ne'er lov'd before?

SHEPHERD.

ECHо. Before.

What most moves women when we them address?

SHEPHERD.

Eсно. A dress.

Say, what can keep her chaste, whom I adore?

SHEPHERD.

ECHO. A door.

If musick softens rocks, love tunes my lyre.

SHEPHERD.

ECHO. Lyar.

Then teach me, Echo, how shall I come by her?

SHEPHERD.

ECHO. Buy her.

When bought, no question, I shall be her dear?

Eсно. Her deer.

*This writer seems to have been indebted either to lord Sterling's Aurora, 4to, 1604; or to "The Hog hath lost its Pearl." See Mr. Read's Note in Dodsley's Old Plays, vol. vi, p. 426,

SHEP.

« AnteriorContinuar »