Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/442

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430
SWIFT'S POEMS.

And very wretched sure is he, that's double
In nothing but his titles and his trouble.
Add to this crying grievance, if you please,
My horses founder'd on Fermanah ways;
Ways of well-polish'd and well-pointed stone,
Where every step endangers every bone;
And, more to raise your pity and your wonder,
Two churches — twelve Hibernian miles asunder!
With complicated cures, I labour hard in,
Beside whole summers absent from my garden! —
But that the world would think I play'd the fool,
I'd change with Charley Grattan for his school[1]
What fine cascades, what vistoes, might I make,
Fixt in the centre of th' Iernian lake!
There might I sail delighted, smooth and safe,
Beneath the conduct of my good sir Ralph[2]:
There's not a better steerer in the realm;
I hope, my lord, you'll call him to the helm." —
"Doctor — a glorious scheme to ease your grief!
When cures are cross, a school's a sure relief.
You cannot fail of being happy there,
The lake will be the Lethe of your care:
The scheme is for your honour and your ease;
And, doctor, I'll promote it when you please.
Meanwhile, allowing things below your merit,
Yet, doctor, you've a philosophick spirit;
Your wants are few, and, like your income, small,
And you've enough to gratify them all:
You've trees, and fruits, and roots, enough in store:
And what would a philosopher have more?

  1. A freeschool at Inniskillen, founded by Erasmus Smith, esq. See Journal to Stella, March 29, 1713.
  2. Sir Ralph Gore, who had a villa in the lake of Erin.

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