Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 1.djvu/442

406 And truth an easy passage finds, Like a full tide, to generous minds. Hail bard and patriot! could I hope The muses would from thee elope, To make me, by their mighty pow'r, A poet only for an hour; Thy matchless virtues should be known In verse as lasting as your own. But I ne'er tasted of the spring Which taught immortal Swift to sing; Nor e'er invok'd the tuneful nine To help me with a single line; Then let your own Apollo praise Your virtue, humour, wit, and ease.

Swift on receipt of this, returned a short answer, and enclosed a bill for twenty pounds, telling him he should soon hear from him again. He then went to his father, and having rated him sufficiently for want of manners in not answering his letter, proceeded to the affair of his son. The gentleman, who had nothing to offer in his excuse, exceedingly alarmed at the resentment shown by Swift for his neglect, to make amends for this, immediately acquiesced in any measures that Swift might propose, with regard to the object of his visit; and it was agreed upon the spot, that the young gentleman should be sent immediately to Leyden to study physick, with a suitable allowance for his support.

In one of his rambles through the country of Ireland, he happened to stop at a small village in some part of the Bog of Allen. The landlord of the house to which he was directed for entertainment, was quite unfurnished of every kind of provision that might refresh either himself or his horses.