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 |  |
“My dear Meg liv'd with her mother,
I on one side and she on t'other,
For a deep river ran between Me and the Beauty of the Green.
But the banks were steep and the river wide,
And I had no horse and I could not ride,
So I wish'd myself a pretty little boat, To take me o'er to t'other side.
I on one side and she on t'other,
For a deep river ran between Me and the Beauty of the Green.
But the banks were steep and the river wide,
And I had no horse and I could not ride,
So I wish'd myself a pretty little boat, To take me o'er to t'other side.
“And many a month and many a day
And half a year had past away;
And still the river flood was seen 'Twixt me and Marg'ry of the Green.
But the banks were steep, &c.
And half a year had past away;
And still the river flood was seen 'Twixt me and Marg'ry of the Green.
But the banks were steep, &c.
“At length she did a youth prefer
Who liv'd on the same bank with her.
So now the river may flow on: My hope is fled, my love is gone,
I care not though the banks are wide,
That I have no horse and cannot ride;
And I wish no more to be a little boat, To take me o'er to t'other side.’
He clos'd his strain and through the screen
Who liv'd on the same bank with her.
So now the river may flow on: My hope is fled, my love is gone,
I care not though the banks are wide,
That I have no horse and cannot ride;
And I wish no more to be a little boat, To take me o'er to t'other side.’
Form'd of wild flowers and branches green,
A lass slow pacing on was seen.
A russet gown the maiden wore, And on her arm a basket bore;
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And dark brown locks hung o'er her neck,
While eyes of blue seem'd to impart The symptoms of a melting heart.
—Pat took a peep and quite delighted,
Thought that the time should not be slighted,
And that the means he might improve To try and make a little love.
—Though, thought he, I'm not so clever
To leap across a flowing river,
I think at least I have the sense To get me o'er a quickset fence:
No sooner said than done: the rover Took a long run and soon was over:
The damsel started at the sight, But soon recover'd from the fright;
When he with smile and gentle talk, Begg'd to attend her on her walk,
To bear her eggs and while the thrush
Sung sweetly from the neighb'ring bush,
In pleasing courtesy confer, And mention all he thought of her.—
—Susan, poor girl, at first was coy, But there's a certain am'rous boy,
Who cares not how he wastes his darts,
Nor whether high or vulgar hearts
Receive their points, so he can play And thus amuse his time away.—
Thus ere Pat's tongue for half an hour
Had exercis'd its flatt'ring power,
She had withdrawn her look severe, And seem'd to give a list'ning ear.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |