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 |  |
Thus as they talk'd the supper came, And with it the insipid Dame.
“Insipid?” to himself exclaim'd
The Rev'rend Sage, “how falsely nam'd!”
If ever he beheld an eye That beam'd with kindred sympathy;
If e'er a smile on features play'd, That a benignant heart betray'd;
If ever rightly understood, He saw a being fair and good,
He could those charming symptoms trace
In Lucy's manners, Lucy's face.
But amid this superior merit, Which he believ'd she did inherit,
He saw at once an humble spirit.
Nay, now he felt that he must own,
What he had heard from Farmer John;
While in Sir Stately's voice and mien,
Ungracious speech or look of spleen,
Was but too plainly heard and seen.
The Doctor with good-humour'd chat,
And brisk remark on this or that,
Strove from the fair to get a speech, But that was not within his reach;
While all the thoughts he did display, Could only draw a yea or nay,
With humble bend and silent grace,
By which he could no pleasure trace,
With sometimes an uplifted eye, A hectic blush, or gentle sigh.
—The Doctor felt what all would feel
Who could another's thoughts reveal,
And saw that care's corroding dart Was rankling in the virtuous heart;
While over-bearing power sat by, Nor pitied patient misery.
“Insipid?” to himself exclaim'd
The Rev'rend Sage, “how falsely nam'd!”
If ever he beheld an eye That beam'd with kindred sympathy;
If e'er a smile on features play'd, That a benignant heart betray'd;
If ever rightly understood, He saw a being fair and good,
He could those charming symptoms trace
In Lucy's manners, Lucy's face.
But amid this superior merit, Which he believ'd she did inherit,
He saw at once an humble spirit.
Nay, now he felt that he must own,
What he had heard from Farmer John;
While in Sir Stately's voice and mien,
Ungracious speech or look of spleen,
Was but too plainly heard and seen.
The Doctor with good-humour'd chat,
And brisk remark on this or that,
Strove from the fair to get a speech, But that was not within his reach;
While all the thoughts he did display, Could only draw a yea or nay,
With humble bend and silent grace,
By which he could no pleasure trace,
With sometimes an uplifted eye, A hectic blush, or gentle sigh.
—The Doctor felt what all would feel
Who could another's thoughts reveal,
And saw that care's corroding dart Was rankling in the virtuous heart;
While over-bearing power sat by, Nor pitied patient misery.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |