The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop ... To Which are Prefixed, Memoirs of the Life of the Author By the Rev. Thomas Clare |
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The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | ||
135
TO MR. MERLIN.
WRITTEN IN ONE OF HIS CHAIRS, DURING A FIT OF THE GOUT.
FEBRUARY 4, 1789.
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You! who in Fortune's rough high road,Which all are deem'd to whirl in,
For gouty feet, would keep a Seat,
Apply to Master Merlin!
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Tho' coronets, fringe, and velvet deckThe Chair that holds an Earl in,
At Gout's first touch, he'd change ten such,
For One of Master Merlin!
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The Beau must have a powdering Chair,To frizz toupee, and curl in:—
Let him be fine, let ease be mine,
In Chair of Master Merlin!
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Some hire an Holiday Chaise and one,To cram man, wife, boy, girl in:—
I neither steed, nor company need,
In Chair of Master Merlin!
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Talk not of Eastern Caravans,With silk, gold, spice, and pearl in:—
Life knows no gain, like rest from pain,
In Chair of Master Merlin!
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You travel at your driver's will,In Dilly, Hack, or Berlin:—
I choose my ground; back, forward, round,
In Chair of Master Merlin!
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The splendid Carriage oft admitsA proud self-center'd churl in:—
I wish mankind the joy I find,
In Chair of Master Merlin!
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Your very Wheels a tax must pay,If public roads they twirl in:—
He rides toll-free, who rides like me,
In Chair of Master Merlin!
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Fancy, meanwhile, takes ample scope,Her boldest sails t' unfurl in;
From crippled limbs, at large she skims,
In Chair of Master Merlin!
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Toes, ankles, knees, to facts so felt,Their conscious suffrage hurl in;
And Truth encores, from thousand pores,
O! bravo! Master Merlin!
The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | ||