Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Ireland: Vol. V. 1876–79.
Dean Swift at Sir Arthur Achesons, in the North of Ireland
By Jonathan Swift (16671745)T
Our invitation was but slight;
I said, “Why let him, if he will.”
And so I bade Sir Arthur write.
Lest we should think ourselves neglected,
And so we see him at our gate
Three days before he was expected.
And day succeeding after day,
Says not a word of his departure,
Though not a soul would have him stay.
Methinks, or else the devil ’s in ’t;
But he cares not for it a rush,
Nor for my life will take the hint.
In civil language, if he stays,
How deep and foul the roads may grow,
And that he may command the chaise.
Though I should be exceeding proud,
This winter to invite some friends,
And, sir, I know you hate a crowd.”
Beg you would here continue still,
But we must go to Aghnecloy,
Or Mr. Moore will take it ill.”
So much his stay doth swell the bills:
My dearest life, it is surprising
How much he eats, how much he swills.
And they must have three meals a day,
Yet never think they get enough;
His horses too eat all our hay.
His tallow face and wainscot paws,
His beetle brows, and eyes of wall,
And make him soon give up the cause!
With Skinnybonia, Snipe, and Lean?
O that I could but once be rid
Of this insulting tyrant Dean!