Such pleasing hope the tranquil breast enjoys,
Whose inward peace no conscious crime annoys;
While guilty minds irresolute appear,
And doubt a state their vices needs must fear.
R----T B----N.
Dublin, Nov. 4, 1755.
[Footnote 1: Compare the Earl of Orrery's "Verses to Swift on his
birthday" (vol. i, 228) with his "Remarks on the Life and writings of
Swift." And see _post_, p. 406. The next line refers to
Faulkner.--_W. E. B._]
A SCHOOLBOY'S THEME
The following lines were enclosed in a letter from Mr. Pulteney,
(afterwards Earl of Bath,) to Swift, in which he says--"You must give me
leave to add to my letter a copy of verses at the end of a declamation
made by a boy at Westminster school on this theme,--_Ridentem dicere
verum quid vetat?_"
Dulce, Decane, decus, flos optime gentis Hibernae
Nomine quique audis, ingenioque celer:
Dum lepido indulges risu, et mutaris in horas,
Quo nova vis animi, materiesque rapit?
Nunc gravis astrologus, coelo dominaris et astris,
Filaque pro libitu Partrigiana secas.
Nunc populo speciosa hospes miracula promis,
Gentesque aequoreas, aeriasque creas.
Seu plausum captat queruli persona Draperi,
Seu levis a vacuo tabula sumpta cado.
Pages:
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454