The Works of Horace In English Verse By several hands. Collected and Published By Mr. Duncombe. With Notes Historical and Critical |
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 | The Works of Horace In English Verse |  |
356
The Same EPISTLE Imitated.
[Since you, dear Dan, without a courtly Sneer]
By a Friend in IRELAND.
Since you, dear Dan, without a courtly Sneer,
Can sit on Oak, and feast on Country Cheer,
To Supper come, and come in friendly Guise,
Ere Phœbus sets, or noxious Vapours rise.
Can sit on Oak, and feast on Country Cheer,
To Supper come, and come in friendly Guise,
Ere Phœbus sets, or noxious Vapours rise.
Light is my Claret; Paul is strictly true;
Th'Importer he; the Vintage fifty-two;
For Fare—the Sure can Flukes and Trouts supply,
My Barn a Chicken, and my Doves a Pye;
Add, that Pomona o'er Vicarial Land
Her Fruits diffuses with a bounteous Hand:
If more than such your better Tythes afford,
Send when you please, and I'll attend the Board.
If not, your favourite Chillingworth resign
For social Converse, harmless Mirth, and Wine;
Since this fair Eve precedes th'auspicious Morn,
On which, thank Heaven! our George the Good was born,
We'll sit uncensur'd, chat the Hours away,
'Till Light appears; then grateful toast the Day.
Th'Importer he; the Vintage fifty-two;
For Fare—the Sure can Flukes and Trouts supply,
My Barn a Chicken, and my Doves a Pye;
Add, that Pomona o'er Vicarial Land
Her Fruits diffuses with a bounteous Hand:
If more than such your better Tythes afford,
Send when you please, and I'll attend the Board.
If not, your favourite Chillingworth resign
For social Converse, harmless Mirth, and Wine;
Since this fair Eve precedes th'auspicious Morn,
On which, thank Heaven! our George the Good was born,
357
'Till Light appears; then grateful toast the Day.
Plagu'd with no Doubts, unanxious for an Heir,
Free from lean Avarice, and the Frown severe,
'Tis mine to quaff; to stretch in careless Ease;
And Fools may call me thoughtless, if they please.
Free from lean Avarice, and the Frown severe,
'Tis mine to quaff; to stretch in careless Ease;
And Fools may call me thoughtless, if they please.
What cannot Wine perform? Its genial Fire
To amorous Youth restores the tottering Sire;
It arms the Coward Hand; revives the Brave;
Strikes off his Fetters from the labouring Slave;
Nay, bids Avaro, fearless, ope the Door,
And give, strange Power! one Farthing to the Poor.
To amorous Youth restores the tottering Sire;
It arms the Coward Hand; revives the Brave;
Strikes off his Fetters from the labouring Slave;
Nay, bids Avaro, fearless, ope the Door,
And give, strange Power! one Farthing to the Poor.
Though little Cost adorns my friendly Treat,
At least the Furniture is plainly neat;
Each Knife, well-whetted, cuts exactly keen,
In each bright Dish your Face is clearly seen;
The Cloth is fair as Lyddy's snowy Breast,
And all may satisfy an easy Guest.
At least the Furniture is plainly neat;
Each Knife, well-whetted, cuts exactly keen,
In each bright Dish your Face is clearly seen;
The Cloth is fair as Lyddy's snowy Breast,
And all may satisfy an easy Guest.
Nor dread, my Friend, to see a motley Train
Of clamorous Blockheads, or of pertly vain:
I hate Disputes; and hold this general Rule,
'Tis Labour lost to wrangle with a Fool.
No Reverend Doctor, with important Face,
Who palms Stupidity for Heavenly Grace;
No Lawyer, who, o'erjoy'd himself to hear,
Refuses Quarter to the wounded Ear;
None such expect—I'll bid a sprightly few,
Or leave the Choice of Company to You.
Of clamorous Blockheads, or of pertly vain:
I hate Disputes; and hold this general Rule,
'Tis Labour lost to wrangle with a Fool.
358
Who palms Stupidity for Heavenly Grace;
No Lawyer, who, o'erjoy'd himself to hear,
Refuses Quarter to the wounded Ear;
None such expect—I'll bid a sprightly few,
Or leave the Choice of Company to You.
Such are my Terms; if grateful such, attend;
And bilk a Wife one Night, to please a Friend.
And bilk a Wife one Night, to please a Friend.
1757.
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