Page:The English humourists of the eighteenth century. A series of lectures, delivered in England, Scotland, and the United States of America (IA englishhumourist00thacrich).pdf/179

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bear a great resemblance to that most delightful and accomplished master. In reading his works, one is struck with their modern air, as well as by their happy similarity to the songs of the charming owner of the Sabine farm. In his verses addressed to Halifax, he says, writing of that endless theme to poets, the vanity of human wishes—

"So when in fevered dreams we sink,
 And, waking, taste what we desire,
The real draught but feeds the fire,
 The dream is better than the drink.

"Our hopes like towering falcons aim
 At objects in an airy height:
To stand aloof and view the flight,
 Is all the pleasure of the game."

Would not you fancy that a poet of our own days

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"But when the wit began to wheeze,
 And wine had warmed the politician,
Cured yesterday of my disease,
 I died last night of my physician."

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"Yes, every poet is a fool;
 By demonstration Ned can show it;
Happy could Ned's inverted rule
 Prove every fool to-be a poet."

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"On his death-bed poor Lubin lies,
 His spouse is in despair;
With frequent sobs and mutual sighs,
 They both express their care.

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"A different cause says Parson Sly,
 The same effect may give;
Poor Lubin fears that he shall die,
 His wife that he may live."