Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 1.djvu/200

164 his answer, whether I shall go there before, or meet him hereabouts, or go to Wimple (his son's house) and so with him down: and I expect to leave this place in two or three days, one way or other. I will stay with him till the parliament meets again, if he desires it. I am written to earnestly by somebody, to come to town, and join with those people now in power; but I will not do it. Say nothing of this, but guess the person. I told lord Oxford I would go with him when he was out; and now he begs it of me, I cannot refuse him. I meddle not with his faults, as he was minister of state; but you know his personal kindness to me was excessive. He distinguished and chose me, above all other men, while he was great, and his letter to me, the other day, was the most moving imaginable," &c.

There is one expression in lord Oxford's letter, which is indeed very affecting, where he says, "I go to Wimple, thence alone to Herefordshire." What! this great minister, who had conferred so many obligations, and made the fortunes of such numbers, not to find one companion to attend him in his reverse of fortune! Methinks I see Swift reading