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Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745

"The Poems of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Volume 2"


Said Harley, "Welcome, rev'rend dean!
What makes your worship look so lean?
Why, sure you won't appear in town
In that old wig and rusty gown?
I doubt your heart is set on pelf
So much that you neglect yourself.
What! I suppose, now stocks are high,
You've some good purchase in your eye?
Or is your money out at use?"--
"Truce, good my lord, I beg a truce!"
The doctor in a passion cry'd,
"Your raillery is misapply'd;
Experience I have[11] dearly bought;
You know I am not worth a groat:
But you resolved to have your jest,
And 'twas a folly to contest;
Then, since you now have done your worst,
Pray leave me where you found me first."

[Footnote 1: Collated with Stella's copy.--_Forster_.]
[Footnote 2: Erasmus Lewis, Esq., the treasurer's secretary.]
[Footnote 3: By time.--_Stella_.]
[Footnote 4: Is now contented,--_Stella._]
[Footnote 5: The.--_Stella._]
[Footnote 6: Would.--_Stella._]
[Footnote 7: By.--_Stella._]
[Footnote 8: "Devoutly" is the word in Stella's transcript: but it must
be admitted that "demurely" is more in keeping.--_Forster_.]
[Footnote 9: The Dean's agent, a Frenchman.]
[Footnote 10: The lord treasurer's porter.]
[Footnote 11: I have experience.


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