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 now could not beguile His feelings with his usual smile,
But lean'd his head against a tree, And, spite of cleric dignity,
Let his gay muscles off at score, As Pat ne'er saw him do before;
But when his spirit had regain'd The gen'ral tenor they maintain'd,
He bade Pat ask how far from hence Was Lady Macnight's residence;
“I know 'tis somewhere here about, And we must try to find it out.
She's cousin to my friends the Hearties,
And sometimes join'd their pleasant parties,
Three years must now have flown away,
When, if I ever pass'd this way,
I promis'd I would shew my face,
With her kind leave, at Comet Place.”
A peasant said the road was strait,
And nine miles from the turnpike-gate;
But as the moon began to peep Above the wood on yonder steep,
It would be soon as light as day, And they could never lose their way.
“But as 'tis late,” the Doctor said, “Our journey must not be delay'd;
Though for this fair Astronomer, Night is the time to visit her,
While she may chase through fields of air The aberration of a star.”
Punch felt the tickling of a spur, And Pat's fat sides were in a stir:
Nor was it long ere, from the road, They hail'd the lady's fair abode
That, plac'd upon a woody height,
Display'd full many a glimm'ring light,
Which from the various windows shone
And check'd the lustre of the moon.
The Doctor now made known his name,
When soon appear'd the smiling dame.
“I scarce, dear Sir, my joy can measure,
At this so unexpected pleasure;
And 'tis with singular delight I see my learned friend to-night.”
Thus she exclaim'd, when Syntax fear'd
That some celestial sign appear'd,
And stead of supper and a bed Whereon to lay his aching head,
He should be hurried to survey
The greater Bear or Milky Way; But thus she did his fears allay:
“Whene'er the moon shews all her power
And shines through each nocturnal hour,
My distant neighbours always come
As her clear beams will light them home,
And I have now a pleasant party Which only wants my Cousin Hearty,
Though as you're come I'm quite content,
Without a word of compliment.”
But lean'd his head against a tree, And, spite of cleric dignity,
Let his gay muscles off at score, As Pat ne'er saw him do before;
But when his spirit had regain'd The gen'ral tenor they maintain'd,
He bade Pat ask how far from hence Was Lady Macnight's residence;
“I know 'tis somewhere here about, And we must try to find it out.
She's cousin to my friends the Hearties,
And sometimes join'd their pleasant parties,
Three years must now have flown away,
When, if I ever pass'd this way,
I promis'd I would shew my face,
With her kind leave, at Comet Place.”
A peasant said the road was strait,
And nine miles from the turnpike-gate;
But as the moon began to peep Above the wood on yonder steep,
It would be soon as light as day, And they could never lose their way.
“But as 'tis late,” the Doctor said, “Our journey must not be delay'd;
Though for this fair Astronomer, Night is the time to visit her,
While she may chase through fields of air The aberration of a star.”
Punch felt the tickling of a spur, And Pat's fat sides were in a stir:
Nor was it long ere, from the road, They hail'd the lady's fair abode
That, plac'd upon a woody height,
Display'd full many a glimm'ring light,
Which from the various windows shone
And check'd the lustre of the moon.
The Doctor now made known his name,
When soon appear'd the smiling dame.
“I scarce, dear Sir, my joy can measure,
At this so unexpected pleasure;
323
Thus she exclaim'd, when Syntax fear'd
That some celestial sign appear'd,
And stead of supper and a bed Whereon to lay his aching head,
He should be hurried to survey
The greater Bear or Milky Way; But thus she did his fears allay:
“Whene'er the moon shews all her power
And shines through each nocturnal hour,
My distant neighbours always come
As her clear beams will light them home,
And I have now a pleasant party Which only wants my Cousin Hearty,
Though as you're come I'm quite content,
Without a word of compliment.”
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |