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, in sober, solemn state, With Pat behind drew near the gate;
And when he their approach espied,
Bill Bumpkin clapp'd his hands and cried;
“My worthy Parson is it you? The same i' fackins, I've in view.
Six months, I think, are gone and past
And more since I beheld you last!
Whate'er I knew I left at college,
And you like none but men of knowledge;
Yet, in plain English, I declare, I do delight to see you here.
I have no learn'd or Latin lingo, But a fresh tap of foaming stingo,
Which will make you to jabber Greek, As nat'rally as pigs can squeak.
And, if your heart is out of tune,
Will make you long to stride the moon.”
“—Not quite so high as that my friend,
But something which doth that way tend:
Not quite so high,” the Doctor said,
“But yet some choice enliv'ning aid
My slacken'd spirits have in view When I pay my respects to you;
For here, I'm sure, that humour gay
And the frank smile will crown the day.
You, my good-hearted friend, must know
The cause of my domestic woe.
Of my friends too I am bereft, The Worthies have the country left,
And when they may return to cheer
My drooping heart doth not appear:—
Thus dulness now is found to reign Within the verge of Sommerden,
And doth a full possession take Of its fair borders of the Lake.
Thus 'tis my joyless fate to roam For comfort that's not found at home.”
“—Then find it here,” replied the 'Squire,
“New scenes will other thoughts inspire,
My means of pleasure you shall share:
I'll teach you how to banish care.”
Though Syntax did not trust the skill
That such a promise would fulfil,
He gave assent with nodding head, And followed where his leader led.
He took the Doctor through his grounds,
Display'd his kennel and his hounds,
Their diff'rent ages, old and young,
Their speed, their noses and their tongue;
Then order'd forth his hunting stud,
Dwelt on their merits and their blood;
While to their diff'rent feats, and more,
The green-clad huntsman stoutly swore.
He then described some arduous chase
That did his Nimrod annals grace;
Show'd many a brush that cover'd o'er
The purlieus of the kennel door:
Nor did a hero ever prize The trophies gain'd in victories,
Whose flutt'ring ensigns might display
The pride of many a well-fought day,
With more exulting sense of fame,
Than Bumpkin told the boasted name,
Which his equestrian powers command
Among the woods of Westmoreland.
And when he their approach espied,
Bill Bumpkin clapp'd his hands and cried;
“My worthy Parson is it you? The same i' fackins, I've in view.
Six months, I think, are gone and past
And more since I beheld you last!
Whate'er I knew I left at college,
And you like none but men of knowledge;
Yet, in plain English, I declare, I do delight to see you here.
I have no learn'd or Latin lingo, But a fresh tap of foaming stingo,
Which will make you to jabber Greek, As nat'rally as pigs can squeak.
And, if your heart is out of tune,
Will make you long to stride the moon.”
“—Not quite so high as that my friend,
But something which doth that way tend:
Not quite so high,” the Doctor said,
“But yet some choice enliv'ning aid
My slacken'd spirits have in view When I pay my respects to you;
For here, I'm sure, that humour gay
And the frank smile will crown the day.
You, my good-hearted friend, must know
The cause of my domestic woe.
Of my friends too I am bereft, The Worthies have the country left,
And when they may return to cheer
My drooping heart doth not appear:—
Thus dulness now is found to reign Within the verge of Sommerden,
And doth a full possession take Of its fair borders of the Lake.
Thus 'tis my joyless fate to roam For comfort that's not found at home.”
“—Then find it here,” replied the 'Squire,
“New scenes will other thoughts inspire,
My means of pleasure you shall share:
I'll teach you how to banish care.”
Though Syntax did not trust the skill
That such a promise would fulfil,
He gave assent with nodding head, And followed where his leader led.
He took the Doctor through his grounds,
Display'd his kennel and his hounds,
Their diff'rent ages, old and young,
Their speed, their noses and their tongue;
Then order'd forth his hunting stud,
Dwelt on their merits and their blood;
While to their diff'rent feats, and more,
The green-clad huntsman stoutly swore.
He then described some arduous chase
That did his Nimrod annals grace;
Show'd many a brush that cover'd o'er
The purlieus of the kennel door:
Nor did a hero ever prize The trophies gain'd in victories,
257
The pride of many a well-fought day,
With more exulting sense of fame,
Than Bumpkin told the boasted name,
Which his equestrian powers command
Among the woods of Westmoreland.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |