University of Virginia Library

Once disappointed, yet again
I dare in verse to try my pen.
Though Bob my grovelling genius knows,
Unfit to make a speech in prose;
He has not yet, whate'er he may,
Bid me not sing, as well as say.
Though, if he did, 'twere very right,
Could he prevent my speaking by 't;
Since, if his thousands it would bring,
Like him I would not say or sing,
Or cease at those to stretch my throat
Who change their party and their note,

Yet leaving seekers, high or low,
At present to their cringe and bow,
My business let me not forget,
As authors use, to show their wit.
I beg this letter may atone
For rudeness I have never shown.
I shall not, in the common way,
My fault upon another lay,
Because from fault I'm wholly free;
The blame was yours that fell on me.
I read your invitation straight;
Nay,—though I say 't that should not say't,—
Though business I had then good store,
Yet twice or thrice I read it o'er;
But could not find a single word
Or tittle in 't about my lord.
I dare affirm, there's no such thing,
Except you use deciphering:
For then, perhaps, an M is there,
Which stands point-blank for Mortimer.
How could I otherwise divine
An earl expected me to dine?
An earl three hours for me to wait,
Unworthy tendance from the great!
More honour than if proudest knight
Three days had waited for my sight;
Or Townshend should obsequious stand,
And humbly beg to kiss my hand!
As soon I might have thought to spend
A week at board with Doctor Freind;
Or dream my merit might this year
Me to a bishopric prefer,
Through interest of such loyal men
As Edmund, Lancelot, and Ben.
These fancies, or perhaps as vain,
Might fall into my crazy brain:
But frenzy could not rise so high,
While loose and out of Bedlam I,
To slight a happiness so great,
Or Harley with neglect to treat,
Or thought of disrespect to bear
To Oxford's earl and Oxford's heir.