Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/34

22 matter has given you; or intreat your favour for Alma and Solomon. I shall perform your commands to the earl of Oxford, semper idem; and drink your health with our friends, which is all I can do for you at this distance, till your particular order enjoins me any thing, by which I may show you, that I am, and desire always to continue, with the greatest truth and regard, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

M. PRIOR.

SIR,

AVING spent part of my summer very agreeably in Cambridgeshire with dear lord Harley, I am returned without him to my own palace in Duke-street, whence I endeavour to exclude all the tumult and noise of the neighbouring court of requests, and to live aut nihil agendo aut aliud agendo, till he comes to town. But there is worse than this yet. I have treated lady Harriot at Cambridge; (Good God! a fellow of a college treat!) and spoke verses to her in a gown and cap! What! the plenipotentiary so far concerned in the damned peace at Utrecht; the man, that makes up half the volume of