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 |  |
Syntax.—
“Ye virgins fair, ye lovely flowers,
The blooming pride of vernal hours!
Chace, while I speak, O chace away Whate'er is frolic, lively, gay,
And all your calm attention lend To the fond counsels of a friend;
Which may, in many a future hour, Infuse their salutary power,
As it may be your lot to stray Through Life's uncertain, devious way.
O listen then, while I discourse Of passion's folly, reason's force,
And the never failing strength that's given
By laws which were receiv'd from Heaven.
—Think not that you will hear from me The honeyed words of flattery;
For nought is more the real bane Of happiness, than to be vain:
All that in this world we command Does on no certain basis stand:
Things fall and rise, and rise and fall; This is the common lot of all.
Young as you are, you must have seen What disappointments intervene.
To check the hopes of life's career, Between the cradle and the bier.
Instruction too doth daily give Those lessons which your minds receive,
Where from examples you may learn
Fair truth from falsehood to discern,
And your young opening minds prepare
Against the threats of future care:
Hence this high doctrine you will know,
That virtues real joys bestow, And vice conducts to certain woe.
Nay, from my tongue accept a truth, So fitted to the ear of youth,
That, in this world, you may believe,
The wicked will not fail to grieve;
And, though in pomp and glory clad,
How oft their brightest hours are sad!
Whatever be the state we know, Virtue is happiness below;
Whate'er the worldly station given Virtue alone is sure of Heaven;
If then through life to virtue prone,
The joys of both worlds are your own.
“Life is the path to mortals given
That leads the good from earth to Heaven;
And death the dark and gloomy way, That opes upon eternal day.
These are grave thoughts I well may own,
But cannot be too early known.
'Tis not by reasoning refin'd I shall attract the tender mind;
That must be left till riper age Doth the experienc'd thought engage,
To take within a larger scope The various views of fear and hope,
Which may mature reflection bend To life's due progress and its end.
—What then is error, what is vice What the temptations which entice
The early mind to what is wrong, As in your youth you dance along,
And what the joy which they deserve,
Nay will possess, who never swerve
From virtue's path, and the decree Of heav'n-born, heart-felt piety?
This knowledge I shall hope to teach
Not by thoughts beyond your reach,
But by plain maxims fix'd in truth And suited to the minds of youth.
The blooming pride of vernal hours!
Chace, while I speak, O chace away Whate'er is frolic, lively, gay,
And all your calm attention lend To the fond counsels of a friend;
Which may, in many a future hour, Infuse their salutary power,
As it may be your lot to stray Through Life's uncertain, devious way.
O listen then, while I discourse Of passion's folly, reason's force,
And the never failing strength that's given
By laws which were receiv'd from Heaven.
—Think not that you will hear from me The honeyed words of flattery;
For nought is more the real bane Of happiness, than to be vain:
All that in this world we command Does on no certain basis stand:
Things fall and rise, and rise and fall; This is the common lot of all.
Young as you are, you must have seen What disappointments intervene.
To check the hopes of life's career, Between the cradle and the bier.
Instruction too doth daily give Those lessons which your minds receive,
Where from examples you may learn
Fair truth from falsehood to discern,
And your young opening minds prepare
Against the threats of future care:
Hence this high doctrine you will know,
That virtues real joys bestow, And vice conducts to certain woe.
Nay, from my tongue accept a truth, So fitted to the ear of youth,
That, in this world, you may believe,
The wicked will not fail to grieve;
And, though in pomp and glory clad,
How oft their brightest hours are sad!
226
Whate'er the worldly station given Virtue alone is sure of Heaven;
If then through life to virtue prone,
The joys of both worlds are your own.
“Life is the path to mortals given
That leads the good from earth to Heaven;
And death the dark and gloomy way, That opes upon eternal day.
These are grave thoughts I well may own,
But cannot be too early known.
'Tis not by reasoning refin'd I shall attract the tender mind;
That must be left till riper age Doth the experienc'd thought engage,
To take within a larger scope The various views of fear and hope,
Which may mature reflection bend To life's due progress and its end.
—What then is error, what is vice What the temptations which entice
The early mind to what is wrong, As in your youth you dance along,
And what the joy which they deserve,
Nay will possess, who never swerve
From virtue's path, and the decree Of heav'n-born, heart-felt piety?
This knowledge I shall hope to teach
Not by thoughts beyond your reach,
But by plain maxims fix'd in truth And suited to the minds of youth.
“The virtue with which I commence Is unreserv'd obedience
Unto your earthly parents, who Stand in the place of God to you:
And next, your kind instructors claim The honours of a parent's name,
To whom in your life's early hour They delegate parental power.
“Such is the earliest thought impress'd
By reason on the human breast;
The first fond sense that nature gives,
And the first warmth the heart receives.
You're of an age to know it well, And feel the tender truth I tell;
I shall not, therefore, more enlarge Upon this subject of my charge,
But on some other points infer My views of female character;
And such as to my mind appears Best suited to your sex and years.
Unto your earthly parents, who Stand in the place of God to you:
And next, your kind instructors claim The honours of a parent's name,
To whom in your life's early hour They delegate parental power.
“Such is the earliest thought impress'd
By reason on the human breast;
The first fond sense that nature gives,
And the first warmth the heart receives.
You're of an age to know it well, And feel the tender truth I tell;
I shall not, therefore, more enlarge Upon this subject of my charge,
But on some other points infer My views of female character;
And such as to my mind appears Best suited to your sex and years.
“Beauty displays a two-fold kind, That of the body and the mind;
Both are allowed their various arms,
Each conquers by its sev'ral charms.
Let's try by rules of common sense What is their genuine excellence,
And then compare the solid good
With which they both may be endued,
And what the powers that they possess, To foster human happiness.
—The form requires exterior grace, While the attractions of the face
Demand the soft or piercing eye, With a connected harmony
Of features, in right order placed, And in due shape by nature trac'd:
These, heighten'd by carnation dye, Or roseate bloom's variety,
With flowing locks display'd to view,
Of black or brown or auburn hue,
And well combin'd, in various ways A certain admiration raise,
Which beauty of whatever name Will never hesitate to claim.
But on this fond, delusive theme, Do not indulge the idle dream
That, by the fav'ring grace of Heaven,
As a decided good 'tis given;
For oft 'tis found in your possessing More as a trial than a blessing;
Nay, beauty oft neglected mourns, And even wrecks whom it adorns.
Its charms in all their brightness gay, To the admiring eye to-day
May their soft, rosy bloom display;
But, from the inroad of disease, To-morrow it may cease to please;
And the late glowing eye may see The figure of deformity.
—Besides, we know, uncourteous time,
When once you've pass'd life's early prime,
Will soon begin, with rankling tooth,
To prey on what remains of youth;
Unmindful of each yielding grace, To plant the wrinkle on the face,
And, as advancing age draws nigh, To dim the glances of the eye:
While on the brow no longer play The auburn tresses once so gay,
The hand of time hath turn'd them grey.
Nor is this all—as all must know, Death is of life the common foe,
That doth on nature's will attend And bring us to one certain end;—
Nor will his fatal arrow spare The youthful form because 'tis fair,
But in its glowing strength and bloom May point it to the silent tomb.
—Such then the form's attractive grace,
Such then the beauty of the face:
Let us compare them as combin'd With the rich graces of the mind.
—Here rests the beauty of the whole,
The mortal form, th'immortal soul.
The one that on Time's pinions flies,
The other this world's power defies, And looks to where it never dies.
The one may smile away its hour In youth's exhilarating bower,
But 'tis not made to live and last
When that so cheerful season's past:—
Know, that the other may engage The stride of time from youth to age,
And, passing on to life's last doom,
Will look with hope beyond the tomb.
Beauty may make you angels here, But virtue makes you angels there.
“By time, by chance, by fortune's frown,
The proudest fabric tumbles down,
And wealth is lost, we often see, In desolating penury.
In such a change of human lot, From the proud mansion to the cot,
It is the mind that must repair The disappointing hour to bear
And mortifying load of care.
Though you, young friends, have not attain'd
The power by reason's strength sustain'd,
But thus, instructed, as you feel By such enlarg'd enlighten'd zeal,
These truths the teacher's words supply,
And, with superior energy Present them to the mental eye.
—All this is right and just and good:
The mild, with moral sense endued,
Doth those well-wrought foundations lay
Which are not subject to decay,
And form the base on which to rest,
Of this world's cheering good the best.
By that you're well prepar'd to know What to the Gospel 'tis you owe.
Yes, my young audience, you've been taught
Those rules with perfect wisdom fraught:
For when they first to man were given As the immortal boon of Heaven,
Our fallen nature was renew'd With that full, universal good,
Which did the glorious scheme supply Of universal charity,
That all distinctions did remove, In one grand scene of social love;
The blessing promis'd from above.
Both are allowed their various arms,
Each conquers by its sev'ral charms.
Let's try by rules of common sense What is their genuine excellence,
And then compare the solid good
With which they both may be endued,
And what the powers that they possess, To foster human happiness.
—The form requires exterior grace, While the attractions of the face
Demand the soft or piercing eye, With a connected harmony
Of features, in right order placed, And in due shape by nature trac'd:
These, heighten'd by carnation dye, Or roseate bloom's variety,
With flowing locks display'd to view,
Of black or brown or auburn hue,
And well combin'd, in various ways A certain admiration raise,
Which beauty of whatever name Will never hesitate to claim.
But on this fond, delusive theme, Do not indulge the idle dream
That, by the fav'ring grace of Heaven,
As a decided good 'tis given;
227
Nay, beauty oft neglected mourns, And even wrecks whom it adorns.
Its charms in all their brightness gay, To the admiring eye to-day
May their soft, rosy bloom display;
But, from the inroad of disease, To-morrow it may cease to please;
And the late glowing eye may see The figure of deformity.
—Besides, we know, uncourteous time,
When once you've pass'd life's early prime,
Will soon begin, with rankling tooth,
To prey on what remains of youth;
Unmindful of each yielding grace, To plant the wrinkle on the face,
And, as advancing age draws nigh, To dim the glances of the eye:
While on the brow no longer play The auburn tresses once so gay,
The hand of time hath turn'd them grey.
Nor is this all—as all must know, Death is of life the common foe,
That doth on nature's will attend And bring us to one certain end;—
Nor will his fatal arrow spare The youthful form because 'tis fair,
But in its glowing strength and bloom May point it to the silent tomb.
—Such then the form's attractive grace,
Such then the beauty of the face:
Let us compare them as combin'd With the rich graces of the mind.
—Here rests the beauty of the whole,
The mortal form, th'immortal soul.
The one that on Time's pinions flies,
The other this world's power defies, And looks to where it never dies.
The one may smile away its hour In youth's exhilarating bower,
But 'tis not made to live and last
When that so cheerful season's past:—
Know, that the other may engage The stride of time from youth to age,
And, passing on to life's last doom,
Will look with hope beyond the tomb.
Beauty may make you angels here, But virtue makes you angels there.
“By time, by chance, by fortune's frown,
The proudest fabric tumbles down,
And wealth is lost, we often see, In desolating penury.
In such a change of human lot, From the proud mansion to the cot,
It is the mind that must repair The disappointing hour to bear
And mortifying load of care.
Though you, young friends, have not attain'd
The power by reason's strength sustain'd,
But thus, instructed, as you feel By such enlarg'd enlighten'd zeal,
These truths the teacher's words supply,
And, with superior energy Present them to the mental eye.
—All this is right and just and good:
The mild, with moral sense endued,
Doth those well-wrought foundations lay
Which are not subject to decay,
And form the base on which to rest,
Of this world's cheering good the best.
By that you're well prepar'd to know What to the Gospel 'tis you owe.
228
Those rules with perfect wisdom fraught:
For when they first to man were given As the immortal boon of Heaven,
Our fallen nature was renew'd With that full, universal good,
Which did the glorious scheme supply Of universal charity,
That all distinctions did remove, In one grand scene of social love;
The blessing promis'd from above.
“I have another truth to tell, On which my serious wishes dwell,
And call you gravely to attend Both to the preacher and the friend.
'Tis that I'm anxious to relate What is the real social state
Of woman, since the awful date
Of that auspicious era, when The heavenly choir to wond'ring men,
By the immortal song made known The mercies of the eternal throne.
And call you gravely to attend Both to the preacher and the friend.
'Tis that I'm anxious to relate What is the real social state
Of woman, since the awful date
Of that auspicious era, when The heavenly choir to wond'ring men,
By the immortal song made known The mercies of the eternal throne.
“The page of history will show, As from instruction you may know,
That ere the Christian scheme began
Women were but the slaves of Man.
Countries and nations I could name
Where they could no distinction claim,
Nay, where your sex did scarce confer Ought of a reas'ning character;
Without a choice but to pursue The functions customs made them do!
Whose active powers did ne'er appear, But to obey from abject fear;
While others did to hope deny A claim to immortality:
And like the beasts that perish, they
Look'd to compose one common clay.
Nor did they equal rights possess, That source of female happiness,
(To which enlighten'd nations know,
And loud proclaim, how much they owe)
Till Heathen modes and Pagan power
Melted before the beaming hour,
When that Divine Lawgiver came, A new Religion to proclaim,
That in the mind such comfort pours,
And which, my darling friends, is yours;
Where Women did their station find, So suited to the human mind;
With all those views of social life, Both as the mother and the wife,
Which justified their equal sway, When to command and when obey.
To men He left the arduous care Of ruling policy and war;
To bear arms in their country's cause,
To frame the code of wholesome laws,
And, with a bold sagacious zeal, To over-look the common-weal:
While women, far from public strife, Adorn the realm of private life;
Nor, from th'allotted circle roam, But sway the sceptre of their home:
There, by each fond and virtuous art, To soften and chastise the heart;
And all man's ruder thoughts improve
By the chaste warmth of wedded love.
“Such was the change, which you must see,
Was made in man's society;
Such was the glory of that hour, When woman shar'd domestic power;
And this distinction woman owes, As ev'ry Christian reader knows,
To that high cov'nant which began,
When Heaven renew'd its will to man,
And sanctified the nuptial bands By purer laws and new commands:
If therefore it is well explain'd What the female sex have gain'd,
By the religion you profess; What virtue pure, what happiness,
What honour and superior power To clothe with good the passing hour;
Say can your hearts be e'er endued With a full tide of gratitude,
For all that from Heav'n's fount has flow'd,
And Revelation has bestow'd!—
O do not your young bosoms burn, To make the warmest, best return!
And how can that return be made, But by its sacred laws obey'd!
And when you grow up into life, As friend, as parent, and as wife,
By action and example too, Keep this great object in your view
And never check the homage due.
—To aid the cause, what powerful arms
Are female virtues, female charms:
For all the good you may enjoy Take care that yours you well employ;
These are commanding powers given;
Make them the instruments of Heaven,
In circles more or less confin'd, Where your life's duties are enjoin'd,
Where worldly cares your steps may lead,
And fond affections bid you tread,
There all your shining virtues shower,
There use your influencing power;
Nor cease, 'mong all you love or know, As far as nature will allow,
To make them good and keep them so.
Here then, I close, my darling friends!
And my o'erflowing heart commends
The kind precepts to explain (Which she will ne'er attempt in vain)
What of this subject doth remain;
And bring the whole before your view,
To prove my solemn doctrines true.
She on your mem'ry will impress Those duties which your lives will bless,
With all life gives of happiness.—
—So now farewell—remember me—
And what I've taught beneath the tree.”
That ere the Christian scheme began
Women were but the slaves of Man.
Countries and nations I could name
Where they could no distinction claim,
Nay, where your sex did scarce confer Ought of a reas'ning character;
Without a choice but to pursue The functions customs made them do!
Whose active powers did ne'er appear, But to obey from abject fear;
While others did to hope deny A claim to immortality:
And like the beasts that perish, they
Look'd to compose one common clay.
Nor did they equal rights possess, That source of female happiness,
(To which enlighten'd nations know,
And loud proclaim, how much they owe)
Till Heathen modes and Pagan power
Melted before the beaming hour,
When that Divine Lawgiver came, A new Religion to proclaim,
That in the mind such comfort pours,
And which, my darling friends, is yours;
Where Women did their station find, So suited to the human mind;
With all those views of social life, Both as the mother and the wife,
Which justified their equal sway, When to command and when obey.
To men He left the arduous care Of ruling policy and war;
To bear arms in their country's cause,
To frame the code of wholesome laws,
And, with a bold sagacious zeal, To over-look the common-weal:
While women, far from public strife, Adorn the realm of private life;
Nor, from th'allotted circle roam, But sway the sceptre of their home:
There, by each fond and virtuous art, To soften and chastise the heart;
And all man's ruder thoughts improve
By the chaste warmth of wedded love.
“Such was the change, which you must see,
Was made in man's society;
Such was the glory of that hour, When woman shar'd domestic power;
And this distinction woman owes, As ev'ry Christian reader knows,
To that high cov'nant which began,
When Heaven renew'd its will to man,
And sanctified the nuptial bands By purer laws and new commands:
229
By the religion you profess; What virtue pure, what happiness,
What honour and superior power To clothe with good the passing hour;
Say can your hearts be e'er endued With a full tide of gratitude,
For all that from Heav'n's fount has flow'd,
And Revelation has bestow'd!—
O do not your young bosoms burn, To make the warmest, best return!
And how can that return be made, But by its sacred laws obey'd!
And when you grow up into life, As friend, as parent, and as wife,
By action and example too, Keep this great object in your view
And never check the homage due.
—To aid the cause, what powerful arms
Are female virtues, female charms:
For all the good you may enjoy Take care that yours you well employ;
These are commanding powers given;
Make them the instruments of Heaven,
In circles more or less confin'd, Where your life's duties are enjoin'd,
Where worldly cares your steps may lead,
And fond affections bid you tread,
There all your shining virtues shower,
There use your influencing power;
Nor cease, 'mong all you love or know, As far as nature will allow,
To make them good and keep them so.
Here then, I close, my darling friends!
And my o'erflowing heart commends
The kind precepts to explain (Which she will ne'er attempt in vain)
What of this subject doth remain;
And bring the whole before your view,
To prove my solemn doctrines true.
She on your mem'ry will impress Those duties which your lives will bless,
With all life gives of happiness.—
—So now farewell—remember me—
And what I've taught beneath the tree.”
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |