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 thought to steal away, As he was wont, by break of day;
But Lady Bounty's rank and station
Had check'd the vulgar inclination,
And he determin'd to regret, With all due form and etiquette,
In looks that mourn and words that grieve,
That he was forc'd to take his leave.
—The morning came, the breakfast o'er,
Phillis and Punch were at the door:
When Syntax, in respectful tone, Made all his grateful wishes known,
While ev'ry hope words could express
For health, long life and happiness,
Follow'd in due and stated course, With solemn, modulated force.
Then her right hand he gently drew,
Kiss'd it, and bow'd, and said “Adieu.”
—Affected by this tender grace A tear stole gently down her face;
And wiping her be-moisten'd eye, She offer'd this sincere reply:
“—Doctor, your virtues I revere,
And wish your stay were longer here:
Doctor, your learning I admire, And much I grieve that you retire:
Your piety involves my heart, And I lament that you depart.
But still I thank the happy chance,
That did your wand'ring steps advance
To where I pass my tranquil days In striving humble worth to raise,
And in the circuit of my power,
To cheer the poor man's toilsome hour;
In youthful minds the seed to sow Of virtue, and where thistles grow
To pluck them, that they may not spoil
The fruits produc'd by honest toil;
Nay, I am proud, that my great view
Has been approv'd and prais'd by you.
And while I wish you ev'ry good, I thus my kind farewell conclude:
—Here whensoe'er you wish to come This house will prove a real home:
Come when you will, bring whom you may,
And, as you please, prolong your stay:
You'll have the welcome of my heart; Nor go, till I pronounce depart.”
—She now presented to his hand A cover rich with velvet band,
Where taste must have been proud to ply Its needle in embroidery.
A clasp, enrich'd with gold, confin'd The memoranda of the mind,
Which on the inmost page so white, The ready pencil might indite.
“Take this,” she said, “and when your thought
Is with a sudden image fraught,
—Inscribe it here and let it live, Nor be a hasty fugitive:
It thence may gain a passage free To dwell within your memory:
And at those moments do not spare,
For your warm friend a transient prayer.”
234
Had check'd the vulgar inclination,
And he determin'd to regret, With all due form and etiquette,
In looks that mourn and words that grieve,
That he was forc'd to take his leave.
—The morning came, the breakfast o'er,
Phillis and Punch were at the door:
When Syntax, in respectful tone, Made all his grateful wishes known,
While ev'ry hope words could express
For health, long life and happiness,
Follow'd in due and stated course, With solemn, modulated force.
Then her right hand he gently drew,
Kiss'd it, and bow'd, and said “Adieu.”
—Affected by this tender grace A tear stole gently down her face;
And wiping her be-moisten'd eye, She offer'd this sincere reply:
“—Doctor, your virtues I revere,
And wish your stay were longer here:
Doctor, your learning I admire, And much I grieve that you retire:
Your piety involves my heart, And I lament that you depart.
But still I thank the happy chance,
That did your wand'ring steps advance
To where I pass my tranquil days In striving humble worth to raise,
And in the circuit of my power,
To cheer the poor man's toilsome hour;
In youthful minds the seed to sow Of virtue, and where thistles grow
To pluck them, that they may not spoil
The fruits produc'd by honest toil;
Nay, I am proud, that my great view
Has been approv'd and prais'd by you.
And while I wish you ev'ry good, I thus my kind farewell conclude:
—Here whensoe'er you wish to come This house will prove a real home:
Come when you will, bring whom you may,
And, as you please, prolong your stay:
You'll have the welcome of my heart; Nor go, till I pronounce depart.”
—She now presented to his hand A cover rich with velvet band,
Where taste must have been proud to ply Its needle in embroidery.
A clasp, enrich'd with gold, confin'd The memoranda of the mind,
Which on the inmost page so white, The ready pencil might indite.
“Take this,” she said, “and when your thought
Is with a sudden image fraught,
—Inscribe it here and let it live, Nor be a hasty fugitive:
It thence may gain a passage free To dwell within your memory:
And at those moments do not spare,
For your warm friend a transient prayer.”
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |