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 |  |
“Such is the matrimonial life,” Said Syntax;—“but, I love my wife.
Just now with horsewhip I was bother'd;
And now with hugging I am smother'd;
But wheresoe'r I'm doom'd to roam, I still shall say—that home is home!”
Again her dear the Dame caress'd,
And clasp'd him fondly to her breast:
At length, amidst her am'rous play, The Doctor found a time to say—
“The fatted calf I trust you've slain,
To welcome Syntax home again:”
“No,” she reply'd, “no fatted calf; We have a better thing by half;
For with expectation big Of your return we kill'd a pig;
And a rich Haslet at the fire, Will give you all you can desire;
The sav'ry meat myself will baste, And suit it to my deary's taste.”
“That dish,” he cried, “I'd rather see, Than Fricandeau or Fricassee.
O,” he continued, “what a blessing
To have a wife so fond of dressing;
Who with such taste and skill can work,
To dress herself and dress the pork!”
She now return'd to household care, The dainty supper to prepare.
Whoe'er has pass'd an idle hour,
In following Syntax through his Tour,
Must have perceiv'd he did not balk His fancy, when he wish'd to talk:
Nay, more—that he was often prone
To make long speeches when alone;
And while he quaff'd th'inspiring ale, Between each glass to tell a tale:
Or, as he smok'd with half-shut eyes,
Now smiling, and now looking-wise,
He'd crack a joke, or moralize:
And when the curious spirit stirr'd him,
He minded not though no one heard him.
This he did now—as 'twill appear;
He talk'd though there were none to hear,
When the whiffs pass'd he silence broke,
And thus he thought, and puff'd, and spoke.
Just now with horsewhip I was bother'd;
And now with hugging I am smother'd;
But wheresoe'r I'm doom'd to roam, I still shall say—that home is home!”
Again her dear the Dame caress'd,
And clasp'd him fondly to her breast:
At length, amidst her am'rous play, The Doctor found a time to say—
114
To welcome Syntax home again:”
“No,” she reply'd, “no fatted calf; We have a better thing by half;
For with expectation big Of your return we kill'd a pig;
And a rich Haslet at the fire, Will give you all you can desire;
The sav'ry meat myself will baste, And suit it to my deary's taste.”
“That dish,” he cried, “I'd rather see, Than Fricandeau or Fricassee.
O,” he continued, “what a blessing
To have a wife so fond of dressing;
Who with such taste and skill can work,
To dress herself and dress the pork!”
She now return'd to household care, The dainty supper to prepare.
Whoe'er has pass'd an idle hour,
In following Syntax through his Tour,
Must have perceiv'd he did not balk His fancy, when he wish'd to talk:
Nay, more—that he was often prone
To make long speeches when alone;
And while he quaff'd th'inspiring ale, Between each glass to tell a tale:
Or, as he smok'd with half-shut eyes,
Now smiling, and now looking-wise,
He'd crack a joke, or moralize:
And when the curious spirit stirr'd him,
He minded not though no one heard him.
This he did now—as 'twill appear;
He talk'd though there were none to hear,
When the whiffs pass'd he silence broke,
And thus he thought, and puff'd, and spoke.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |