The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 7/Dr. Sheridan's Reply
SHERIDAN'S REPLY.
THREE merry lads you own we are;
'Tis very true, and free from care,
But envious we cannot bear,
believe, sir:
For, were all forms of beauty thine,
Were you like Nereus soft and fine,
We should not in the least repine,
or grieve, sir.
Then know from us, most beauteous Dan,
That roughness best becomes a man;
'Tis women should be pale and wan,
and taper;
And all your trifling beaux and fops,
Who comb their brows, and sleek their chops,
Are but the offspring of toyshops,
mere vapour.
We know your morning hours you pass
To cull and gather out a face;
Is this the way you take your glass?
Forbear it:
Those loads of paint upon your toilet,
Will never mend your face, but spoil it,
It looks as if you did parboil it:
Drink claret.
Your cheeks, by sleeking, are so lean,
That they're like Cynthia in the wane,
Or breast of goose when 'tis pick'd clean,
or pullet:
See what by drinking you have done:
You've made your phiz a skeleton,
From the long distance of your crown,
t' your gullet.