Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/283

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"Somnia quæ mentes ludunt volitantibus umbris," &c.

dreams, that on the silent night intrude, And with false flitting shades our minds delude, Jove never sends us downward from the skies: Nor can they from infernal mansions rise; But are all mere productions of the brain, And fools consult interpreters in vain. For, when in bed we rest our weary limbs, The mind unburden'd sports in various whims; The busy head with mimick art runs o'er The scenes and actions of the day before. The drowsy tyrant, by his minions led, To regal rage devoies some patriot's head. With equal terrours, not with equal guilt, The murderer dreams of all the blood he spilt. The soldier smiling hears the widow's cries, And stabs the son before the mother's eyes. With like remorse his brother of the trade, The butcher, fells the lamb beneath his blade. The statesman rakes the town to find a plot, And dreams of forfeitures by treason got. Nor less Tom-t—d-man, of true statesman mould, Collects the city filth in search of gold. Orphans around his bed the lawyer sees, And takes the plaintiff's and defendant's fees. His fellow pick-purse, watching for a job, Fancies his finger's in the cully's fob. The