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 Lady when she took a view Declar'd the gen'ral likeness true,
But still she thought it might be stronger;
He took the hint, and made it younger.
By daubing out and laying in The tints alternate thick and thin,
He kept within a mod'rate line: But made the drap'ry wond'rous fine.
—She thought 'twould have a pretty look
If in her hand she held a book,
Which, with a demi-serious mood, Might much improve her attitude:
But it so happ'd, he cast an eye Upon a cake and currant-pye,
Which an adjoining table grac'd With other articles of taste;
And thus the Doctor, while proceeding,
Thought more of eating than of reading:
For here attention felt a break, Out went the book—What a mistake!
And in her hand he plac'd the cake.
—The laugh was loud, they sought the board,
The cake was eat, the book restor'd,
The pencil mov'd, the flounces twirl
And round the robe impetuous curl.
—Syntax now thought, I've done my best;
At least, my Lady is well drest,
And, as my art can go no further, I hope, without committing murther,
I have at length just made an end Of my kind, hospitable friend.
—The work, 'tis true, had no pretence To that superior excellence
Which some could to the canvas give,
Whereon the figures seem to live;
And though this picture cannot vie With aught 'bove mediocrity,
Yet those to whom my Lady's known Did all the gen'ral likeness own;
And she herself, above the rest,
Her warm and grateful praise express'd.
—When 'twas presented to the eye, In a room hung with tapestry,
Of ancient work, with figures grim
Of monstrous shape and threat'ning limb;
Whose colours, the whole room pervading,
Had for a century been fading;
The contrast gave a glowing grace, Both to the air, the form, the face,
To which the Rev'rend Limner's art Did those apparent powers impart,
That, to his eye, he scarce could tell The wonder it was done so well.
But still she thought it might be stronger;
He took the hint, and made it younger.
By daubing out and laying in The tints alternate thick and thin,
He kept within a mod'rate line: But made the drap'ry wond'rous fine.
—She thought 'twould have a pretty look
If in her hand she held a book,
Which, with a demi-serious mood, Might much improve her attitude:
But it so happ'd, he cast an eye Upon a cake and currant-pye,
Which an adjoining table grac'd With other articles of taste;
And thus the Doctor, while proceeding,
Thought more of eating than of reading:
For here attention felt a break, Out went the book—What a mistake!
And in her hand he plac'd the cake.
—The laugh was loud, they sought the board,
The cake was eat, the book restor'd,
The pencil mov'd, the flounces twirl
And round the robe impetuous curl.
—Syntax now thought, I've done my best;
At least, my Lady is well drest,
And, as my art can go no further, I hope, without committing murther,
I have at length just made an end Of my kind, hospitable friend.
—The work, 'tis true, had no pretence To that superior excellence
Which some could to the canvas give,
Whereon the figures seem to live;
And though this picture cannot vie With aught 'bove mediocrity,
Yet those to whom my Lady's known Did all the gen'ral likeness own;
And she herself, above the rest,
Her warm and grateful praise express'd.
—When 'twas presented to the eye, In a room hung with tapestry,
Of ancient work, with figures grim
Of monstrous shape and threat'ning limb;
Whose colours, the whole room pervading,
Had for a century been fading;
The contrast gave a glowing grace, Both to the air, the form, the face,
To which the Rev'rend Limner's art Did those apparent powers impart,
That, to his eye, he scarce could tell The wonder it was done so well.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |