ON THE SPEECH OF DR. BENJAMIN PRATT, PROVOST OF THIS piece is extracted from the Lanesborough Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin. Dr. Pratt's speech, which is here parodied, was made when the Duke of Ormond, Swift's valued friend, was attainted, and superseded in the office of chancellor of Trinity College, which he had held from 1688-9, by the Prince of Wales, afterward George II. There is great reason to suppose that the satire is the work of Swift, whose attachment to Ormond was uniformly ardent. Of this it may be worth while to mention a trifling instance. The duke had presented to the cathedral of St. Patrick's a superb organ, surmounted by his own armorial bearings. It was placed facing the nave of the church. But after Ormond's attainder, Swift, as Dean of St. Patrick's, received orders from government to remove the scutcheon from the church. He obeyed, but he placed the shield in the great aisle, where he himself and Stella lie buried, and where the arms still remain. The verses have suffered much by the inaccuracy of the noble transcriber, Lord Newtoun Butler. VOL. XII. Y The parody is so close, that it will render it more interesting to give the original speech from the London Gazette of Tuesday, April 17, 1716. The Provost, it appears, was attended by the Rev. Dr. Howard, and Mr. George Berkeley, (afterwards Bishop of Cloyne,) both of them fellows of Trinity College, Dublin. The speech was praised by Addison, in the Freeholder, though his classical taste must have suffered, while his loyalty approved. "Then the provost proceeded and made the following speech to his royal highness: "Permit us, most illustrious prince, with hearts full of duty, to approach your royal person. His majesty's loyal university of Dublin, which glories in its most renowned foundress, Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory, aspires now with greater honour, and zealous for the dignity and welfare of their body, seeks a head and governor equal in birth to their glorious foundress, the same magnificent patron of learning, constant defender of our true religion, and bright example of virtue, a character belonging only to your royal highness. As this noble view alone fills all their thoughts, and most agreeably points out their choice, pardon, most gracious prince, the ambition of their present address; deign, with that goodness which guides all your actions, to receive into your protection a society, which, from duty, interest, and affection, humbly hopes to be placed under it: That society wherein his majesty's faithful subjects of Ireland received those principles that render them now eminent in the service of their country, firm in their allegiance to their prince, and unshaken in their zeal for the apostolical faith established amongst them. Here it was they were first taught obedience to the king, and wisely instructed, that out of the illustrious house of Hanover, would come the greatest and best of kings. "Happy, indeed, were our presages, and joyful, altogether, is the accomplishment of them. Our eyes behold a prince now sitting on the throne of his royal ancestors, wise, valiant, just, and magnanimous: a monarch loaded with all the martial glories of the field, and long distinguished for the nobler arts of peace, and of civil government. His early years he devoted to the cause of religion against Turks and infidels; he afterwards employed his arms in defence of the liberties of Europe, at a time when they were in the utmost danger from abroad; and now he completes his glories at home in delivering Britain, the bulwark of the Protestant faith, from the inconsistent rule of a Popish pretender. By his wisdom, he has defeated all secret attempts; by his valour, conquered in the open field: his justice awes the daring and the violent; his clemency gains the weak and deluded; his large revenues he employs in securing those liberties, for whose preservation his undoubted title is most justly founded; and in endowing that church, whose rise and fall, like a true and affectionate friend, does ever accompany the English monarchy. A prince of fewer virtues might make a nation happy; but every quality of his exalted mind has contributed to our present peace and safety. "Forgive me, most serene prince, that I attempt thus faintly to touch that great character so fully copied in your royal person; but there a noble virtue which adorns the rest, forbids me, in your august presence, to name those heroic qualities, which, in other places, are the constant subject of our praise and delight. We congratulate each other on the felicities of the present reign: A glorious successor lengthens out the pleasing prospect; and we see our joy perpetuated in a beautiful offspring which fills our palaces. The pious care and example of a most excellent princess, instils their parent's virtues; and virtue, recommended in these lovely forms, must draw the imitation of all below them. Hence may these kingdoms date a second reform from vice and irreligion, a glory which Providence seems to have reserved to your illustrious house. "And such happy assurances his majesty's university of Dublin has conceived of those blessings which will attend your royal family, that joyfully they lay hold of this first opportunity to place themselves under the immediate government of it. Not content to share with their fellow-subjects the distant influences derived through other hands, they approach near the throne, submitting themselves with the profoundest veneration to your princely authority. And most willing must their obedience be to those commands, where private interest cannot mix, or designs be formed against that happy settlement whose preservation lies nearest at all our hearts. "Descend then, most mighty prince, to give us laws. Ireland submits its harp into your royal hands. Rule, instruct, and nourish the attending muses; make them the envied subjects of your present care, and the lively image of a happy people. Protect and govern, now, the nursery of that faith, whereof we daily beseech Heaven, in sincerity of heart, to establish your royal highness the next most glorious defender." THE SPEECH OF THE PROVOST OF TRINITY COLLEGE, TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS GEORGE PRINCE OF WALES. I. LLUSTRIOUS prince, we're come be- Who, more than in our founders, glory Deign to descend and give us laws, For we are converts to your cause, From this day well-affected.* II. The noble view of your high merits, That we resolved to be devoted, At least until we be promoted, By your just power and party. III. Urged by a passionate desire From lazy cloistered life; *The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Pratt was, at this time, April 1716, Provost of Trinity College; he had been formerly of the Tory party; to which circumstance the phrase, "from this day wellaffected," alludes. |