his answer, whether I shall go there before, or meet him hereabouts, or go to Wimple (his son's house) and so with him down: and I expect to leave this place in two or three days, one way or other. I will stay with him till the parliament meets again, if he desires it. I am written to earnestly by somebody, to come to town, and join with those people now in power; but I will not do it. Say nothing of this, but guess the person. I told lord Oxford I would go with him when he was out; and now he begs it of me, I cannot refuse him. I meddle not with his faults, as he was minister of state; but you know his personal kindness to me was excessive. He distinguished and chose me, above all other men, while he was great, and his letter to me, the other day, was the most moving imaginable," &c.[1]
There is one expression in lord Oxford's letter, which is indeed very affecting, where he says, "I go to Wimple, thence alone to Herefordshire." What! this great minister, who had conferred so many obligations, and made the fortunes of such numbers, not to find one companion to attend him in his reverse of fortune! Methinks I see Swift
- ↑ This resolution of Swift's is fully confirmed in a letter to archdeacon Wall, dated August 8, 1714. "Upon the earl of Oxford's removal, he desired I would go with him into Herefordshire, which I consented to, and wote you word of it, desiring you would renew my licence of absence at the end of this month, for I think it then expires. I had earnest invitations from those in power to go to town, and assist them in their new ministry, which I resolved to excuse; but before I could write, news came of the queen's death, and all our schemes broke to shatters."
