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 |  |
Again the Doctor wav'd his hand, And Pat was silent at command.
“I've one word more,” the Doctor said, “And I expect to be obey'd.
Whatever you may see me do, Keep this command in constant view;
If I ride on nor silence break, If to myself you hear me speak,
Let not, I beg, your flippant tongue Disturb me as I jog along.”
Pat bow'd, and by his reason's force He felt he might disturb discourse,
But thought it was a curious joke To disturb one who never spoke.
Though hard the task which was assign'd,
Patrick was patient and resign'd.
Blest Contemplation, oft thy power
Charms and improves the passing hour!
'Tis in that hour the mind receives The best impression virtue gives.
For thus, with higher thought prepar'd, As its instructor and its guard,
Vice and its passions ne'er invade The bosom thus so sacred made,
Where solemn musings calm the mind
And leave all boist'rous cares behind.
Vice, it is true, o'er crime may brood In some dark dismal solitude;
There it may whet the murd'rous knife
That threatens some unwary life;
There treason may its schemes employ
To rob, to pillage, and destroy.
But Contemplation, Heavenly Maid! By calling virtue to its aid,
Does with her power benign, controul Each strong emotion of the soul,
Bids every mental tempest cease, And soothes the bosom into peace.
“I've one word more,” the Doctor said, “And I expect to be obey'd.
Whatever you may see me do, Keep this command in constant view;
If I ride on nor silence break, If to myself you hear me speak,
Let not, I beg, your flippant tongue Disturb me as I jog along.”
Pat bow'd, and by his reason's force He felt he might disturb discourse,
But thought it was a curious joke To disturb one who never spoke.
Though hard the task which was assign'd,
Patrick was patient and resign'd.
Blest Contemplation, oft thy power
Charms and improves the passing hour!
'Tis in that hour the mind receives The best impression virtue gives.
For thus, with higher thought prepar'd, As its instructor and its guard,
Vice and its passions ne'er invade The bosom thus so sacred made,
Where solemn musings calm the mind
And leave all boist'rous cares behind.
Vice, it is true, o'er crime may brood In some dark dismal solitude;
There it may whet the murd'rous knife
That threatens some unwary life;
There treason may its schemes employ
To rob, to pillage, and destroy.
But Contemplation, Heavenly Maid! By calling virtue to its aid,
Does with her power benign, controul Each strong emotion of the soul,
Bids every mental tempest cease, And soothes the bosom into peace.
| The three tours of Doctor Syntax | |