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Reminiscences, in Prose and Verse

Consisting of the Epistolary Correspondence of Many Distinguished Characters. With Notes and Illustrations. By the Rev. R. Polwhele

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THE DEAN; OR SNUFF-COURTSHIP.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


158

THE DEAN; OR SNUFF-COURTSHIP.

Descending in a golden shower,
Great Jove came down to Danae's tower.
Our Dean, who deals in other stuff,
Carries his point by showers of snuff;
And though, in sooth, low people trust,
As they make love, to yellow dust,
And think not, to supply the lack O!
Of gold, by pinches of tobacco;
And from the tasteful test would flinch,
If put thus nicely to the pinch;
Yet, with such pretty playful knocks
Our worthy Dean did rap his box,
And cast about him with such grace,
And such a pleasant “power of face,”
An odour to outvie the rose,
From particles that miss'd his nose,
That soon in palpable reality
He proved its titillating quality.
In short he felt, attach'd to Nation,
The fine effect of titillation.
So Celia, as it seems, was pleas'd!—
And “love inspiring Cupid sneez'd!”
 

This was an impromptu on a worthy Dean, who won a fair lady by his graceful manœuvres in taking snuff.

Pulveris exigui jactu.

Divinæ particulam auræ

The great dealer in snuff.

Cupid's lucky sneeze inspir'd thy love— Theocritus, Idyll 18th.