Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/383

 Yet whence proceeds this weight we lay On what detracting people say? For let mankind discharge their tongues In venom, till they burst their lungs, Their utmost malice cannot make Your head, or tooth, or finger ake; Nor spoil your shape, distort your face, Or put one feature out of place; Nor will you find your fortune sink By what they speak or what they think; Nor can ten hundred thousand lies Make you less virtuous, learn'd, or wise. The most effectual way to baulk Their malice, is — to let them talk.

. 1727.

Set of phrases learn'd by rote; A passion for a scarlet coat; When at a play to laugh, or cry, Yet cannot tell the reason why; Never to hold her tongue a minute, While all she prates has nothing in it; Whole hours can with a coxcomb sit, And take his nonsense all for wit; Her learning mounts to read a song, But half the words pronouncing wrong; Has every repartee in store She spoke ten thousand times before;