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 |  |
As Syntax finish'd his discourse, A friend was seen to quit his horse,
And soon Bob Single made his bows First to the Lady of the house,
Who as she did those bows receive,
Curtsied in form and took her leave.
Then Easy's hand he warmly squeez'd,
And Syntax by both elbows seiz'd;
Nor did the smiling neighbour fail
To claim the jug that foam'd with ale.
—In lands and woods this 'Squire had clear
At least twelve hundred pounds a year,
And, in a sober state or mellow, Was a good-humour'd jovial fellow:
Nor had he an unsocial name But in the article of game:
And if he prov'd a vengeful foe, It was the poachers found him so:
For, by foul means to catch a hare, To ply a net or lay a snare,
Was, by this rigid sportsman's reason,
Deem'd a dire act of country treason,
Which he with more than vengeance due,
Call'd the law's rigour to pursue,
And punish'd, in his legal rage, With cat-o'-nine tails and the cage.
—In all those noisy loyal greetings
Which are well known at public meetings,
He oft was heard to take the lead,
Was steady too in thought and deed,
Nor did reflection ever balk A fancy for Stentorian talk:
In politics was always hearty, Nor, for a moment, chang'd his party;
All private, petty views disdain'd,
And boldly Freedom's cause maintain'd.
And soon Bob Single made his bows First to the Lady of the house,
Who as she did those bows receive,
Curtsied in form and took her leave.
Then Easy's hand he warmly squeez'd,
And Syntax by both elbows seiz'd;
Nor did the smiling neighbour fail
To claim the jug that foam'd with ale.
—In lands and woods this 'Squire had clear
At least twelve hundred pounds a year,
And, in a sober state or mellow, Was a good-humour'd jovial fellow:
Nor had he an unsocial name But in the article of game:
And if he prov'd a vengeful foe, It was the poachers found him so:
For, by foul means to catch a hare, To ply a net or lay a snare,
Was, by this rigid sportsman's reason,
Deem'd a dire act of country treason,
Which he with more than vengeance due,
Call'd the law's rigour to pursue,
281
—In all those noisy loyal greetings
Which are well known at public meetings,
He oft was heard to take the lead,
Was steady too in thought and deed,
Nor did reflection ever balk A fancy for Stentorian talk:
In politics was always hearty, Nor, for a moment, chang'd his party;
All private, petty views disdain'd,
And boldly Freedom's cause maintain'd.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |