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 ceas'd, and now with conscious pride,
The scientific dame replied;
“You have with truth your system told,
But may I, Doctor, be so bold
To say, that you have said no more Than many a one has done before;
Though not with such perspicuous sense,
Or the same pleasing eloquence.
—Yes, on my loaded shelves you see Each volume on astronomy,
That has increas'd the author's fame With added honour to his name:
I have all instruments at hand That this vast science may demand,
Which do their wond'rous aid supply
To make acquaintance with the sky;
But I new systems shall explore; I wish to know a little more.—
—Perhaps, you'll say, 'tis whim or fun,
And that a woman's tongue must run;
Or that conceit or silly pride Do my weak, friv'lous fancies guide;
Or that by something like defiance To the establish'd rules of science,
To be held forth I thus may strive, As the most learned dame alive;
If such your thoughts, I hope you'll find
Some reason soon to change your mind,
Or that disdainful of the fame
Which those Blue-stocking fair ones claim,
Who confine their pretty fancies, To poems, novels and romances,
Who take no flight, but are content To steep their minds in sentiment:
I wish to soar a little higher Than their fine, fangled thoughts aspire;
If this be your sagacious guess, You prophesy with some success.
I only ask you to attend With the calm candour of a friend,
As least, if you an error see, You will not pass a harsh decree,
But treat it with humanity.”
The scientific dame replied;
“You have with truth your system told,
But may I, Doctor, be so bold
To say, that you have said no more Than many a one has done before;
Though not with such perspicuous sense,
Or the same pleasing eloquence.
—Yes, on my loaded shelves you see Each volume on astronomy,
That has increas'd the author's fame With added honour to his name:
I have all instruments at hand That this vast science may demand,
Which do their wond'rous aid supply
To make acquaintance with the sky;
But I new systems shall explore; I wish to know a little more.—
—Perhaps, you'll say, 'tis whim or fun,
And that a woman's tongue must run;
Or that conceit or silly pride Do my weak, friv'lous fancies guide;
Or that by something like defiance To the establish'd rules of science,
To be held forth I thus may strive, As the most learned dame alive;
If such your thoughts, I hope you'll find
Some reason soon to change your mind,
Or that disdainful of the fame
Which those Blue-stocking fair ones claim,
Who confine their pretty fancies, To poems, novels and romances,
Who take no flight, but are content To steep their minds in sentiment:
I wish to soar a little higher Than their fine, fangled thoughts aspire;
If this be your sagacious guess, You prophesy with some success.
I only ask you to attend With the calm candour of a friend,
As least, if you an error see, You will not pass a harsh decree,
But treat it with humanity.”
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |