It is but so much more in debt,
And that they ne'er consider'd yet.
"Good Mr. dean, go change your gown,
Let my lord know you're come to town."
I hurry me in haste away,45
Not thinking it is levee-day;
And find his honour in a pound,
Hemm'd by a triple circle round,
Chequer'd with ribbons blue and green:
How should I thrust myself between?50
Some wag observes me thus perplex'd,
And, smiling, whispers to the next,
"I thought the dean had been too proud,
To justle here among a crowd!"
Another, in a surly fit,55
Tells me I have more zeal than wit,
"So eager to express your love,
You ne'er consider whom you shove,
But rudely press before a duke."
I own, I'm pleas'd with this rebuke,60
And take it kindly meant, to show
What I desire the world should know.
I get a whisper, and withdraw;
When twenty fools I never saw
Come with petitions fairly penn'd,65
Desiring I would stand their friend.
This humbly offers me his case —
That begs my interest for a place —
55. Quid vis, insane, et quas res agis? improbus urget,
Iratis precibas, tu pulses omne quod obstat,
Ad Mecænatem memori si mente recurras.
Hoc juvat, et melli est, non mentiar. —
64. Aliena negotia centum
Per caput, et circa saliant latus.
