Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Gasping for Life, all Hopes of Succour past,
Alcimenes was laid to breathe his last:
A Fever raging with resistless Pain
Fir'd the whole Mass, and breath'd in ev'ry Vein.
While Stitches, as the Lungs their Functions ply'd,
Stab'd like a thousand Daggers in his Side.
In this Distress, a Sage of mighty Fame;
A Sage from Coos Calignotus came,
By Practice skill'd, in Books profoundly read,
The Whole Pæonian Science in his Head:
And first, with Care, the Patients Pulse he tries,
And views his Posture, with judicious Eyes;
The latent Symptoms next Essays to trace
Through ev'ry Line and Muscle of his Face:
And then Proceeds, minutely to display
How the just Crisis answers to a Day;

Explains the Turns of each acute Disease,
And backs his Reas'nings from Hippocrates.
All which premis'd, in Form he sets his Face,
And thus pronounces on the present Case:—
If these Oppressions can but be controul'd,
If this same Fever will but quit his hold,
If once these Stabs, these cruel Stabs would cease,
If we can come to fetch our Breath with ease,
All will be well, my Art perceives it plain,
We shan't yet die of our Pleuretic Pain.
So, with my Fee, permit me to withdraw,
And leave you to the Learned in the Law.
From this vain World compose yourself to rest,
'Tis all but Toil and Trouble at the best.
You've only now to order your Affairs,
To draw your Writings, and appoint your Heirs,
And sign and seal;—and for his Care and Skill,
Be sure you put your Doctor in the Will.