( 172 )
TO MRS. HOUGHTON OF BOURMONT.
Upon praising her Husband to Dr. Swift.
YOU always are making a God of your Spouse;
But this neither Reason nor Conscience allows;
Perhaps you will say, 'tis in gratitude due,
And you adore him, because he adores you.
Your argument's weak, and so you will find;
For you, by this rule, must adore all mankind.
VERSES, WRITTEN ON A WINDOW,
AT THE DEANERY HOUSE, ST. PATRICK'S.
ARE the guests of this house still doom'd to be cheated?
Sure, the Fates have decreed they by halves should be treated.
In the days of good John[1], if you came here to dine,
You had choice of good meat, but no choice of good wine.
In Jonathan's reign, if you come here to eat,
You have choice of good wine, but no choice of good meat.
O Jove! then how fully might all sides be blest,
Would'st thou but agree to this humble request!
Put both deans in one; or, if that's too much trouble,
Instead of the deans, make the deanery double.
- ↑ Dean Sterne, lord bishop of Clogher, the predecessor of Swift in the deanery of St. Patrick's, was distinguished for his hospitality.
