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 thus the matron heard And felt her story had prepar'd
His fancy to play off its art, Not with a view to guard his heart,
For he no reason had to fear That Crotchet's female chanticleer
Would e'er excite one idle wish To dip in matrimonial dish.
He thought, with widows I have fail'd,
And now a maid must be assail'd:
I little from the scheme expect, But still I'll not the chance neglect;
For this world's plans so strangely vary,
That oft our fairest hopes miscarry,
While sometimes those designs succeed
When dark despair beclouds the deed.
How oft when storms disturb the morn,
The sun's bright rays the noon adorn;
Nay, when the day has boist'rous been,
The evening's gay with smile serene.
Thus without much of hope or fear,
To Crotchet-Lodge my course I steer,
While I a cautious mind prepare For all that may befal me there;
Ready to meet with steady eye, Whether the fair one may supply
Her Discord or her Harmony:
E'en though she's govern'd by the moon,
She'll beat in time and scold in tune.
—And now, good friends, my thanks receive;
I wish that I had more to give!
But still my grateful thoughts are bent
On more than bare acknowledgment.
Permit me then, to say again That my warm home is Sommerden:
Nay, what I mean, full well you know, When, honest Tom, I tell you so;
And while I take you by the hand
My heart's regard you may command.”
—Syntax now gave the dame a kiss As well as to each rustic miss
Who did the busy needle ply, The boast of Truman's family.
Thus did he his farewell conclude With the fond blessing of the good;
And soon his ready way pursued.
His fancy to play off its art, Not with a view to guard his heart,
For he no reason had to fear That Crotchet's female chanticleer
Would e'er excite one idle wish To dip in matrimonial dish.
He thought, with widows I have fail'd,
And now a maid must be assail'd:
I little from the scheme expect, But still I'll not the chance neglect;
For this world's plans so strangely vary,
That oft our fairest hopes miscarry,
While sometimes those designs succeed
When dark despair beclouds the deed.
How oft when storms disturb the morn,
The sun's bright rays the noon adorn;
Nay, when the day has boist'rous been,
The evening's gay with smile serene.
Thus without much of hope or fear,
To Crotchet-Lodge my course I steer,
While I a cautious mind prepare For all that may befal me there;
Ready to meet with steady eye, Whether the fair one may supply
Her Discord or her Harmony:
E'en though she's govern'd by the moon,
She'll beat in time and scold in tune.
—And now, good friends, my thanks receive;
I wish that I had more to give!
But still my grateful thoughts are bent
On more than bare acknowledgment.
Permit me then, to say again That my warm home is Sommerden:
Nay, what I mean, full well you know, When, honest Tom, I tell you so;
319
My heart's regard you may command.”
—Syntax now gave the dame a kiss As well as to each rustic miss
Who did the busy needle ply, The boast of Truman's family.
Thus did he his farewell conclude With the fond blessing of the good;
And soon his ready way pursued.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |