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 |  |
“Nature, dear Nature, is my goddess,
Whether array'd in rustic boddice,
Or when the nicest touch of Art, Doth to her charms new charms impart
But still I, somehow, love her best, When she's in ruder mantle drest:
I do not mean in shape grotesque, But when she's truly picturesque.”
Thus the next morning as he stray'd,
And the surrounding scene survey'd,
Syntax exclaim'd.—A party stood Just on the margin of the flood,
Who were, in statu quo, to make A little voyage on the Lake.
The Doctor forward stepp'd to shew The wealth of his port-folio:
The ladies were quite pleas'd to view Such pretty pictures as he drew;
While a young man, a neighb'ring 'Squire,
Express'd a very warm desire,
Which seem'd to come from honest heart,
That of their boat he'd take a part.
Now from the shore they quickly sail'd
And soon the Doctor's voice prevail'd.
“This is a lovely scene of nature; But I've enough of land and water:
I want some living thing to show How far the picturesque will go.”
Whether array'd in rustic boddice,
Or when the nicest touch of Art, Doth to her charms new charms impart
But still I, somehow, love her best, When she's in ruder mantle drest:
I do not mean in shape grotesque, But when she's truly picturesque.”
Thus the next morning as he stray'd,
And the surrounding scene survey'd,
Syntax exclaim'd.—A party stood Just on the margin of the flood,
Who were, in statu quo, to make A little voyage on the Lake.
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The ladies were quite pleas'd to view Such pretty pictures as he drew;
While a young man, a neighb'ring 'Squire,
Express'd a very warm desire,
Which seem'd to come from honest heart,
That of their boat he'd take a part.
Now from the shore they quickly sail'd
And soon the Doctor's voice prevail'd.
“This is a lovely scene of nature; But I've enough of land and water:
I want some living thing to show How far the picturesque will go.”
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |