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 Provost had a Rect'ry neat Which serv'd him as a country seat,
Snugly retir'd from public noise, And fit for hymeneal joys.
The coppice did his meadows bound,
The purling riv'let flow'd around,
And fruits and fragrant flow'rs were seen
To deck the smooth-fac'd bowling-green.
Full many a leaf of various hue Did its neat snow-white front bestrew,
While o'er the porch the branches twine
Of the sweet smelling jessamine.
—What did it want t'increase the measure
Of calm repose and rural pleasure,
But to advance domestic life; That Dicky Bend should get a wife?
And such he was about to prove, The gift of reason and of love.
For this he left his stately college,
And the more deep research of knowledge,
To pass his annual vacation In ease and rural recreation.
From his o'er-ruling cares releas'd, Here he became a Parish Priest;
And Syntax here perform'd the rite Which did his worthy friend unite,
In the indissoluble tie, Which hallow'd Altars sanctify.
The merry peal awoke the day,
And flow'rets strew'd the church-yard way,
And all the village folk were gay.
—The benediction then was given,
With prayers of all the poor to Heaven,
For it was known that Dicky Bend Had ever been the poor man's friend.
—The hours were pass'd in tranquil joy,
No sick'ning cup, no feast to cloy;
Nought struck the ear, or met the eye, But friendship, love and harmony:
A scene that might give ample scope To furnish out a solid hope,
That Dicky Bend, with such a wife Would find the rarest good of life.
Syntax th'important deed had done.
And now no longer would postpone
The last great point he had in view, In town to pass a week or two.
He on the wedding's joyful eve,
Of Bride and Bridegroom took his leave,
To gain some neighb'ring inn's abode
Where, seated on a turnpike road,
He might a quick conveyance find.
—Phillis and Punch were left behind,
Their time in idleness to pass, And fatten on the Provost's grass.
—The Doctor had not long to wait,
A stage-coach stopp'd before the gate:
He a convenient sitting shar'd; Pat took his place beside the guard;
And, having safe arriv'd in town, At Hatchett's Hotel were set down.
Snugly retir'd from public noise, And fit for hymeneal joys.
The coppice did his meadows bound,
The purling riv'let flow'd around,
And fruits and fragrant flow'rs were seen
To deck the smooth-fac'd bowling-green.
Full many a leaf of various hue Did its neat snow-white front bestrew,
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Of the sweet smelling jessamine.
—What did it want t'increase the measure
Of calm repose and rural pleasure,
But to advance domestic life; That Dicky Bend should get a wife?
And such he was about to prove, The gift of reason and of love.
For this he left his stately college,
And the more deep research of knowledge,
To pass his annual vacation In ease and rural recreation.
From his o'er-ruling cares releas'd, Here he became a Parish Priest;
And Syntax here perform'd the rite Which did his worthy friend unite,
In the indissoluble tie, Which hallow'd Altars sanctify.
The merry peal awoke the day,
And flow'rets strew'd the church-yard way,
And all the village folk were gay.
—The benediction then was given,
With prayers of all the poor to Heaven,
For it was known that Dicky Bend Had ever been the poor man's friend.
—The hours were pass'd in tranquil joy,
No sick'ning cup, no feast to cloy;
Nought struck the ear, or met the eye, But friendship, love and harmony:
A scene that might give ample scope To furnish out a solid hope,
That Dicky Bend, with such a wife Would find the rarest good of life.
Syntax th'important deed had done.
And now no longer would postpone
The last great point he had in view, In town to pass a week or two.
He on the wedding's joyful eve,
Of Bride and Bridegroom took his leave,
To gain some neighb'ring inn's abode
Where, seated on a turnpike road,
He might a quick conveyance find.
—Phillis and Punch were left behind,
Their time in idleness to pass, And fatten on the Provost's grass.
—The Doctor had not long to wait,
A stage-coach stopp'd before the gate:
He a convenient sitting shar'd; Pat took his place beside the guard;
And, having safe arriv'd in town, At Hatchett's Hotel were set down.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |