Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/107

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THE AUTHOR UPON HIMSELF
95

Who change opinions with the changing scene:
Lord! how were they mistaken in the dean!
Now Delawar[1] again familiar grows;
And in Swift's ear thrusts half his powder'd nose.
The Scottish nation, whom he durst offend,
Again apply that Swift would be their friend[2].
By faction tir'd, with grief he waits a while,
His great contending friends to reconcile,
Performs what friendship, justice, truth require:
What could he more, but decently retire?





THE FAGGOT.


Written when the Ministry were at Variance. 1713.


OBSERVE the dying father speak:
Try, lads, can you this bundle break?
Then bids the youngest of the six
Take up a well-bound heap of sticks.
They thought it was an old man's maggot;
And strove by turns to break the faggot:
In vain; the complicated wands
Were much too strong for all their hands.
See, said the sire, how soon 'tis done:
Then took and broke them one by one.
So strong you'll be, in friendship tied;
So quickly broke, if you divide.
Keep close then, boys, and never quarrel:
Here ends the fable, and the moral.

  1. Then lord treasurer of the household, who cautiously avoided Swift while the proclamation was impending.
  2. He was visited by the Scotch lords more than ever.

This