A Selection from the Works of Frederick Locker With illustrations by Richard Doyle |
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ON A PORTRAIT OF DR. LAURENCE STERNE,
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 | A Selection from the Works of Frederick Locker |  |
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ON A PORTRAIT OF DR. LAURENCE STERNE,
BY SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.
When Punch gives friend and foe their due,
Can unwashed mirth grow riper?
Yet when the curtain falls, how few
Remain to pay the piper!
Can unwashed mirth grow riper?
Yet when the curtain falls, how few
Remain to pay the piper!
If pathos should thy bosom stir
To tears, more sweet than laughter,
Oh, bless its kind interpreter,
And love him ever after!
To tears, more sweet than laughter,
Oh, bless its kind interpreter,
And love him ever after!
Dear Parson of the roguish eye!
Thy face has grown historic,
Since saint and sinner flocked to buy
The homilies of Yorick.
Thy face has grown historic,
Since saint and sinner flocked to buy
The homilies of Yorick.
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I fain would add one blossom to
The chaplet Fame has wreathed thee.
My friends, the crew that Yorick drew
Accept, as friends bequeathed thee.
The chaplet Fame has wreathed thee.
My friends, the crew that Yorick drew
Accept, as friends bequeathed thee.
At Shandy Hall I like to stop
And see my ancient crony,
Or in the lane meet Dr. Slop
Astride a slender pony.
And see my ancient crony,
Or in the lane meet Dr. Slop
Astride a slender pony.
Mine uncle, on his bowling-green,
Still storms a breach in Flanders;
And faithful Trim, starch, tall, and lean,
With Bridget still philanders.
Still storms a breach in Flanders;
And faithful Trim, starch, tall, and lean,
With Bridget still philanders.
And here again they visit us
By happy inspiration,
The “fortunes of Pisistratus,”
A tale of fascination.
By happy inspiration,
The “fortunes of Pisistratus,”
A tale of fascination.
But lay his magic volume by,
And thank the Great Enchanter;—
Our loins are girded, let us try
A sentimental canter. . . .
And thank the Great Enchanter;—
Our loins are girded, let us try
A sentimental canter. . . .
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A Temple quaint of latest growth
Expands, where Art and Science
Astounded by our lack of both,
Have founded an alliance.
Expands, where Art and Science
Astounded by our lack of both,
Have founded an alliance.
One picture there all passers scan,
It rivets friend and stranger:
Come, gaze on yonder guileless man,
And tremble for his danger.
It rivets friend and stranger:
Come, gaze on yonder guileless man,
And tremble for his danger.
Mine uncle's bluff—his waistcoat's buff,—
The heart beneath is tender,—
Bewitching widow! Hold! Enough!
Thou fairest of thy gender.
The heart beneath is tender,—
Bewitching widow! Hold! Enough!
Thou fairest of thy gender.
The limner's art!—the poet's pen!—
Posterity the story
Shall tell how these three gifted men
Have wrought for Yorick's glory.
Posterity the story
Shall tell how these three gifted men
Have wrought for Yorick's glory.
O name not easily forgot!
Our love, dear Shade, we show thee,
Regretting thy misdeeds, but not
Forgetting what we owe thee.
Our love, dear Shade, we show thee,
Regretting thy misdeeds, but not
Forgetting what we owe thee.
| A Selection from the Works of Frederick Locker | |