Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/343

Rh upon me now for above a fortnight. Pray tell me when I may hope to see you again: et notas audire et reddere voces. I dine at home to morrow: will you share a fowl with me? I am scarce able to hold up my head; but the sight of you will go a great way toward recovering your ever obliged and faithful servant, ORRERY.

DEAR SIR,

RECEIVED your letter of reproaches with pleasure; and as I know you hate excuses, I shall make none. Whoever has informed you that I was not in my school at the right time appointed, has not done me justice; for whatever else I may disappoint, that shall be inviolably and punctually observed by me. * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As for my quondam friends, as you style them, quondam them all. It is the most decent way I can curse them; for they lulled me asleep till they stole my school into the hands of a blockhead, and have driven me toward the latter end of my life to a disagreeable solitude, where I have the misery to reflect upon my folly in making such a perfidious choice, at a time when it was not in my nature to suspect any soul upon earth. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Now to think a little for myself. The duke of Dorset does certainly owe me a small living, for the expensive entertainment I gave him from rence.