The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] ... With a Copious Index. To which is prefixed Some Account of his Life. In Four Volumes |
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 | The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] |  |
ODE XI.
Peter cannonadeth Fashion—Adviseth People to use their own Eyes and Noses; and ordereth what is to be done with a bad Nose.
One year the pow'rs of fashion rule
In favour of the Roman school;
Then hey, for drawing! Raphael and Poussin.
The following year, the Flemish schools shall strike;
Then hey, for col'ring—Rubens and Vandyke;
And, lo! the Roman is not worth a pin.
In favour of the Roman school;
Then hey, for drawing! Raphael and Poussin.
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Then hey, for col'ring—Rubens and Vandyke;
And, lo! the Roman is not worth a pin.
Be not impos'd upon by Fashion's roar—
Fashion too often makes a monstrous noise,
Bids us, a fickle jade, like fools adore
The poorest trash, the meanest toys.
Fashion too often makes a monstrous noise,
Bids us, a fickle jade, like fools adore
The poorest trash, the meanest toys.
And as a gang of thieves a bustle make,
With greater ease your purse to take,
So Fashion frequently, her point to gain,
Sets up a howl enough to stun a stone,
And fairly picks the pocket of your brain,
That is, if any brain you chance to own.
With greater ease your purse to take,
So Fashion frequently, her point to gain,
Sets up a howl enough to stun a stone,
And fairly picks the pocket of your brain,
That is, if any brain you chance to own.
Carry your eyes with you, where-e'er you go—
For not to trust to them, is t'abuse 'em;
As Nature gave them t'ye, you ought to know
The wise old lady meant that you should use 'em;
And yet, what thousands, to our vast surprise,
Of pictures judge by other people's eyes!
For not to trust to them, is t'abuse 'em;
As Nature gave them t'ye, you ought to know
The wise old lady meant that you should use 'em;
And yet, what thousands, to our vast surprise,
Of pictures judge by other people's eyes!
When Nature made a present of a nose
To each man's face, we justly may suppose
She meant, that for itself the nose should think,
And judge in matters of perfume and stink;
Not meant it for a mule alone, poor hack!
To bear horn spectacles upon its back—
‘Suppose it cannot smell, what then?’ you'll say.
Fling it away.
To each man's face, we justly may suppose
She meant, that for itself the nose should think,
And judge in matters of perfume and stink;
Not meant it for a mule alone, poor hack!
To bear horn spectacles upon its back—
‘Suppose it cannot smell, what then?’ you'll say.
Fling it away.
| The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] | |