CLEVER TOM CLINCH GOING TO BE HANGED. 1720. As Clever Tom Clinch, while the rabble was bawling, Rode stately through Holborn to die in his calling, His cap had a new cherry riband to tye't; My conscience is clear, and my spirits are calm, And thus I go off without prayer-book or psalm: Then follow the practice of clever Tom Clinch, Who hung like a hero, and never would flinch.' 1 A cant word for confessing at the gallows. 2 Jonathan Wild, the noted thief-catcher, under-keeper of Newgate, who was hanged for receiving stolen goods. GEORGE-NIM-DAN-DEAN'S INVITATION 1. TO MR. THOMAS SHERIDAN. Gallstown, Aug. 2, 1721. DEAR Tom! this verse, which, however, the beginning may appear, yet in the end's good metre, Is sent to desire that, when your August vacation comes, your friends you 'd meet here; For why should you stay in that filthy hole, I mean the city so smoky, When you have not one friend left in town, or at least one that's witty, to joke w'ye? For as for honest John, though I am not sure on't, yet I'll be hanged 'less he Be gone down to the county of Wexford, with that great peer the Lord Anglesey. Oh! but I forgot, perhaps, by this time, you may have one come to town, but I don't know whether he be friend or foe, Delany; But, however, if he be come, bring him down, and you shall go back in a fortnight, for I know there's no delaying ye. Oh! I forgot too, I believe there may be one more; I mean that great fat joker, Friend Helsham, he That wrote the Prologue, and if you stay with him, depend on't in the end he'll sham ye. 1 This Invitation seems to have been the joint composition of George Rochfort, John Rochfort, (who was called Nim, or Nimrod, by Dr. Swift, because he was fond of hunting) Dan Jackson, and Doctor Swift, in a vein of whim and merriment; and, in all probability, was sent off directly by the post to Sheridan. GEORGE-NIM-DAN-DEAN'S INVITATION. 183 Bring down Longshanks Jim too; but now I think on't, he's not come yet from Courtown, I fancy; For I heard, a month ago, that he was down there a-courting sly Nancy. However, bring down yourself, and you bring down all; for, to say it we may venture, In thee Delany's spleen, John's mirth, Helsham's jokes, and the soft soul of amorous Jemmy, centre. POSTSCRIPT. I had forgot to desire you to bring down what I say you have, and you'll believe me as sure as a gun, and own it, I mean, what no other mortal in the universe can boast of, your own spirit of wit. pun, and own And now I hope you'll excuse this rhyming, which I must say is (though written somewhat at large) trim and clean; And so I conclude with humble respects, as usual, Your most dutiful and obedient, GEORGE-NIM-DAN-DEAN. ΤΟ GEORGE-NIM-DAN-DEAN, ESQ. UPON HIS INCOMPARABLE VERSES, ETC. OF AUG. 2, 1721. WRITTEN BY DR. DELANY, IN THE NAME OF THOMAS HAIL! human compound quadrifarious, Hail! doubly doubled mighty merry one, To reach thy huge Colossian height ! Yet let me bless, in humbler strain, Like rivers rattling in their fall. 1 These verses were all written in circles, one within another, as appears from the observations in the following poem by Dr. Swift. Thine, sure, is poetry divine, Where wit and majesty combine; Where every line, as huge as seven, If stretch'd in length would reach to Heaven; Against thy verse Time sees with pain, Oh thou! of all the Nine inspired, Thy verse-(ye gods! I cannot bear it) 'Tis like-O yes! 'tis very like it, The long long string with which you fly kite. |