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 |  |
He now took the appointed seat, Suspicious of the liquid treat,
Resolv'd to keep his reason clear
And watch what might be doing there.
—Capias exclaim'd, “This is the toast,
Which in this place must rule the roast,
And my good friends, I'm sure, will see Its claim to fair priority:
I give the Law,—to that are owing
The means to set these currents flowing:”
He loudly then pronounced the word,
And straight the ruby bumper pour'd.
The Doctors both the reason saw Of his just preference to Law.
—Capias again fill'd up his glass. “The second toast that I shall pass
Julep with pleasure will receive, 'Tis one that he himself would give:
Here's PHYSIC—call'd the eye of science,
Life's firmest friend and best reliance:
Without it boldly I declare I should not now be sitting here,
Thanks to the learned Doctor there.
You both, I think, forebode the next, Or as a toast, or as a text;
Though last, the highest in degree, So now I give DIVINITY.”
The flowing wine here found a pause;
Capias talk'd loudly on the laws;
When Julep, without vain pretence, But with a ready eloquence,
Display'd his scientific knowledge, As a learn'd member of the College;
While Syntax thought it best would suit His priestly office to be mute.
Nor did the Lawyer now appear
To wish the Doctor's thoughts to hear,
For then he happen'd to be thinking
'Twas time to take again to drinking,
“To what we've drunk, we all agree,
And now,” he said, “I'll give all three,
LAW, PHYSIC and DIVINITY!
—All toasting hence, my friends, will cease,
And each may do as he shall please.”
Resolv'd to keep his reason clear
And watch what might be doing there.
—Capias exclaim'd, “This is the toast,
Which in this place must rule the roast,
And my good friends, I'm sure, will see Its claim to fair priority:
I give the Law,—to that are owing
The means to set these currents flowing:”
He loudly then pronounced the word,
And straight the ruby bumper pour'd.
The Doctors both the reason saw Of his just preference to Law.
—Capias again fill'd up his glass. “The second toast that I shall pass
Julep with pleasure will receive, 'Tis one that he himself would give:
Here's PHYSIC—call'd the eye of science,
Life's firmest friend and best reliance:
Without it boldly I declare I should not now be sitting here,
Thanks to the learned Doctor there.
You both, I think, forebode the next, Or as a toast, or as a text;
Though last, the highest in degree, So now I give DIVINITY.”
The flowing wine here found a pause;
Capias talk'd loudly on the laws;
When Julep, without vain pretence, But with a ready eloquence,
Display'd his scientific knowledge, As a learn'd member of the College;
While Syntax thought it best would suit His priestly office to be mute.
Nor did the Lawyer now appear
To wish the Doctor's thoughts to hear,
For then he happen'd to be thinking
'Twas time to take again to drinking,
“To what we've drunk, we all agree,
And now,” he said, “I'll give all three,
LAW, PHYSIC and DIVINITY!
—All toasting hence, my friends, will cease,
And each may do as he shall please.”
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |