The three tours of Doctor Syntax In search of 1. The picturesque, 2. Of consolation, 3. Of a wife. The text complete. [By William Combe] With four illustrations |
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 | The three tours of Doctor Syntax |  |
The Doctor now pursued his way, Till night trod on the heels of day:
And when full many a mile was past, Kendal receiv'd the Sage at last.
—Now in an inn and all alone, He thought on what the day had done;
That ev'ry day, in its career, Is but a picture of the year;
And in each year when it is flown, The image of our life is shown.
At morn his journey he began, And quick the speedy minutes ran,
While all he met or left behind Delighted his reflecting mind.
The noon and its succeeding hours To action call'd his active powers,
The evening's come,—the well-fed guest
Content, though tir'd, retires to rest.—
The following morn the hour of eight Saw Phillis saddled at the gate;
And Punch and Pat appear'd to view, Waiting in all attendance due.
The toilette of a coat and hat Was quite familiar work to Pat;
With flourish and without a grin,
He could make smooth the roughest chin,
Nor was this all, for he could rig With friz and curl the Doctor's wig;
Whate'er the busy camp could teach,
Had prov'd to be in Patrick's reach.
Thus the good Doctor's air and mien
Were quite correct, so smug and clean,
As in old times they ne'er had been.
—Besides, Pat had his native parts, And Master was of many Arts;
For at a push without ado, He could put on a horse's shoe;
With strength could wield a threshing flail,
A needle drive, or drive a nail;
He could grind knives, or garters knit, In short for most things he was fit.
Besides kind Nature did impart To Patrick's breast an honest heart;—
From all delusion he was free; The pattern of Fidelity.
And when full many a mile was past, Kendal receiv'd the Sage at last.
—Now in an inn and all alone, He thought on what the day had done;
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And in each year when it is flown, The image of our life is shown.
At morn his journey he began, And quick the speedy minutes ran,
While all he met or left behind Delighted his reflecting mind.
The noon and its succeeding hours To action call'd his active powers,
The evening's come,—the well-fed guest
Content, though tir'd, retires to rest.—
The following morn the hour of eight Saw Phillis saddled at the gate;
And Punch and Pat appear'd to view, Waiting in all attendance due.
The toilette of a coat and hat Was quite familiar work to Pat;
With flourish and without a grin,
He could make smooth the roughest chin,
Nor was this all, for he could rig With friz and curl the Doctor's wig;
Whate'er the busy camp could teach,
Had prov'd to be in Patrick's reach.
Thus the good Doctor's air and mien
Were quite correct, so smug and clean,
As in old times they ne'er had been.
—Besides, Pat had his native parts, And Master was of many Arts;
For at a push without ado, He could put on a horse's shoe;
With strength could wield a threshing flail,
A needle drive, or drive a nail;
He could grind knives, or garters knit, In short for most things he was fit.
Besides kind Nature did impart To Patrick's breast an honest heart;—
From all delusion he was free; The pattern of Fidelity.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |