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 was in full content, When he perceiv'd a certain scent,
Which was not like the sweets of spring
That he had just been pleas'd to sing:
But the Muses' dainty noses Are so used to pinks and roses,
That they know not how to tell The nature of a vulgar smell.
“What mischief,” Goody cried, “is brewing!
God bless the child, what is he doing;
And now, indeed, I do perceive, As I must tell you by your leave,
The worm-pills which he takes, good Sir,
Have just begun to make a stir:
But still, I hope, no harm is done.
Come, sweetest babe, beneath the sun!”
And with the child away she run.
Into such laugh the Doctor broke
That made him look as he would choke.
And still, with ridicule at heart, He sung and play'd the nurse's part.
Then lifted up his eyes to Heaven, As if some blessing had been given.
“'Tis thus,” he said, “Affection grows,
And thus the fond deceit bestows:
See what a mother will not do, What will she not, when, to her view,
The fondling in her arms doth rest, Or seeks the fluid from her breast.
'Tis the same glowing sense that burns In father's breast, as he returns
From hardy toil, and doth repay The labour of each passing day,
When on his knees an infant pair Ask by their looks the kiss to share.”
To give that kiss, to feel that glow,
John enter'd with submissive bow,
Nor did he want the smiling grace Of welcome on his ruddy face.
Which was not like the sweets of spring
That he had just been pleas'd to sing:
But the Muses' dainty noses Are so used to pinks and roses,
That they know not how to tell The nature of a vulgar smell.
“What mischief,” Goody cried, “is brewing!
God bless the child, what is he doing;
And now, indeed, I do perceive, As I must tell you by your leave,
The worm-pills which he takes, good Sir,
Have just begun to make a stir:
But still, I hope, no harm is done.
Come, sweetest babe, beneath the sun!”
And with the child away she run.
Into such laugh the Doctor broke
That made him look as he would choke.
And still, with ridicule at heart, He sung and play'd the nurse's part.
Then lifted up his eyes to Heaven, As if some blessing had been given.
“'Tis thus,” he said, “Affection grows,
And thus the fond deceit bestows:
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The fondling in her arms doth rest, Or seeks the fluid from her breast.
'Tis the same glowing sense that burns In father's breast, as he returns
From hardy toil, and doth repay The labour of each passing day,
When on his knees an infant pair Ask by their looks the kiss to share.”
To give that kiss, to feel that glow,
John enter'd with submissive bow,
Nor did he want the smiling grace Of welcome on his ruddy face.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |