But I think it base in you to send a poor fellow out so late at this time of year, when one would not turn out a dog that one valued; I appeal to your friend Mr. Connor. I would present my humble service to my lady Mountcashel; but truly I thought she would have made advances to have been acquainted with me, as she pretended. But now I can write no more, for you see plainly my paper is ended. 1 P. S. I wish, when you prated, your letter you'd dated; Much plague it created. I scolded and rated; My soul is much grated; for your man I long waited, I think you are fated, like a bear to be baited: Your man is belated; the case I have stated; And me you have cheated. My stable's unslated, Come back t' us well freighted, I remember my late head; and wish you translated, For teasing me. 2 P. S. Mrs. Dingley desires me singly Her service to present you; hopes that will content you; But Johnson madam is grown a sad dame, For want of your converse, and cannot send one verse. 3 P. S. You keep such a twattling with you and your bottling; But I see the sum total, we shall ne'er have a bottle; The long and the short, we shall not have a quart. I wish you would sign't, that we have a pint. For For all your colloguing,* I'd be glad of a knoggin:† But I doubt 'tis a sham; you wont give us a dram. 'Tis of shine a mouth moon-ful, you wont part with a spoonful, And I must be nimble, If I can fill my thimble, You see I wont stop, till I come to a drop; But I doubt the oraculum, is a poor supernaculum; Though perhaps you may tell it, for a grace if we smell it. STELLA: DR. SHERIDAN'S ANSWER. I'D have you to know, as sure as you're dean, I hope, as I ride to the town, it won't rain; And then I should be as stupid as Kain, Who preach'd on three heads, though he mention'd but twain. Now Wardel's in haste, and begins to complain; Your most humble servant, dear sir, I remain, Get Helsham, Walmsley, Delany, T.S-N. * A phrase used in Ireland for a specious appearance of kindness without sincerity. F. † A name used in Ireland for the English quartern. F. i. e. in Dublin, for they were country clergy. F. DR. SWIFT'S REPLY. THE verses you sent on your bottling your wine I think you inspir'd by the Muses all nine. And the worst of them all like a barndoor did shine; With me you'll no more have a stomach to dine, I wish you would tell me which way you incline. In square, or in opposite circle, cr trine. Your beef will on Thursday be salter than brine: I hope you have swill'd, with new milk from the kine, As much as the Liffee's outdone by the Rhine; And Dan shall be with us, with nose aquiline. * The seat of lady Mountcashel near Dublin. F. If you do not come back, we shall weep out our eyne; Or may your gown never be good Lutherine.. But, if too many come, your madam will whine; STELLA'S BIRTH DAY. 1719-20. ALL travellers at first incline Now this is Stella's case in fact, See at her levee crowding swains, With breeding, humour, wit, and sense, Then who can think we'll quit the place, A truth, for which your soul should grieve; No bloom of youth can ever blind |