His talents to employ for nobler ends; And now, the public interest to support, Now Finch' alarms the lords: he hears for cer tain This dangerous priest is got behind the curtain. To haunt a certain minister of state: From whence with half an eye we may discover The peace is made, and Perkin must come over." York is from Lambeth sent, to show the queen A dangerous treatise3 writ against the spleen; 1 Daniel Finch, Earl of Nottingham.-Scott. 2 John Aislaby, then M.P. for Ripon. They both spoke against him in the House of Commons.-Ibid. 3 Tale of a Tub.---1bid. Which, by the style, the matter, and the drift, spouse From her red locks her mouth with venom fills, And thence into the royal ear instils. The queen incensed, his services forgot, While innocent, he scorns ignoble flight; I He sent a message to ask Swift's pardon.---Scott. 2 Insert "murder'd." The duchess's first husband, Thomas Thynne, Esq., was assassinated in Pall Mall by banditti, the emissaries of Count Coningsmarc. As the motive of this crime was the count's love to the lady, with whom Thynne had never cohabited, Swift seems to throw upon her the imputation of being privy to the crime. See the Windsor Prophecy.-Ibid. 3 The Duke of Argyle.-Ibid. For writing "The Public Spirit of the Whigs."-Ibid. "Then lord-treasurer of the household, who cautiously avoided Swift, while the proclamation was impending.-Ibid. And in Swift's ear thrusts half his powder'd nose. By faction tired, with grief he waits awhile, His great contending friends to reconcile; Performs what friendship, justice, truth require: What could he more, but decently retire? THE FAGOT.2 WRITTEN WHEN THE MINISTRY WERE AT VARIANCE, 1713. OBSERVE the dying father speak, They thought it was an old man's maggot; He was visited by the Scots lords more than ever.--Scott. 2 This fable is one of the vain remonstrances by which Swift strove to close the breach between Oxford and Bolingbroke, in the last period of their administration, which, to use Swift's own words, was nothing else but a scene of murmuring and discontent, quarrel and misunderstanding, animosity and hatred;" so that these two great men had scarcely a common friend left, except the author himself, who laboured with unavailing zeal to reconcile their dissensions.---Ibid. Were much too strong for all their hands. So strong you'll be, in friendship tied; Keep close then, boys, and never quarrel : This tale may be applied in few words, While wise men think they ought to fight Should come and make the clattering cease; And gives the Whigs and rabble sport. The consul's fasces were unbound: Those Romans were too wise to think on't, How would they blush to hear it said, Lord treasurer, for once be quick : Take your blue ribbon for a string. Come, trimming Harcourt,1 bring your mace; IMITATION OF PART OF THE SIXTH SATIRE OF THE SECOND BOOK OF HORACE. 1714. I'VE often wish'd that I had clear, 1 Lord Chancellor.---Scott. 2 Sir Edward Northey, attorney-general.---Ibid. |