A time there was, when glory was my guide, THE LOGICIANS REFUTED. In imitation of Dean Swift. (1) Logicians have but ill defin'd By ratiocinations specious, Have strove to prove with great precision, (1) [First printed in the "Busy Body," 1759; to draw attention to which publication it was announced as the production of the Dean of St. Patrick. It was included in the Dublin edition of his works, and is continued by Sir Walter Scott, who had doubtless forgotten its position in the works of Goldsmith. See Life, ch. ix.] Homo est ratione preditum ; But for my Than reason, boasting mortals' pride; Who ever knew an honest brute At law his neighbour prosecute, Bring action for assault and battery, Or friend beguile with lies and flattery? No politics disturb their mind; They eat their meals and take their sport, Nor know who's in or out at court; They never to the levee go To treat as dearest friend, a foe; They never importune his Grace, Nor ever cringe to men in place; Nor draw the quill to write for Bob: (1) pay. (1) [Sir Robert Walpole, the object of so much vituperation by Swift.] Of beasts, it is confess'd, the ape At court, the porters, lacqueys, waiters, EPIGRAM ON A BEAUTIFUL YOUTH, STRUCK BLIND BY LIGHTNING. (1) Sure 'twas by Providence design'd, Rather in pity, than in hate, That he should be, like Cupid, blind, To save him from Narcissus' fate.(2) (1) [First printed in "The Bee," 1759. See vol. i. p. 8.] (2) ["The princess of Eboli, the mistress of Phillip II. of Spain, and Maugiron, the minion of Henry III. of France, had each of them lost an eye; and the famous Latin epigram, which Goldsmith has either translated or imitated, was written on them."-LORD BYRON, Works, vol. vi. p. 390.] STANZAS ON THE TAKING OF QUEBEC, AND DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE.(1) Amidst the clamour of exulting joys, Which triumph forces from the patriot heart, O, Wolfe! to thee a streaming flood of woe, Alive, the foe thy dreadful vigour fled, And saw thee fall with joy-pronouncing eyes : STANZAS.(2) Weeping, murmuring, complaining, Myra, too sincere for feigning, Fears th' approaching bridal night. Yet why impair thy bright perfection? She long had wanted cause of fear. (1) [First printed in the " Busy Body," 1759. The alleged relationship of the Poet with this distinguished officer, produced very naturally an effort to celebrate him, after a death so honourable.] (2) [First printed in The Bee." 1759.] THE GIFT. TO IRIS, IN BOW-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN. (1) [First printed in "The Bee," 1759. The original is in Ménagiana, tom. iv. p. 200 : ÉTRENNE A IRIS. "Pour témoignage de ma flamme, Iris, du meilleur de mon âme, Je vous donne à ce nouvel an, Non pas dentelle, ni ruban, Non pas essence, non pas pommade, Un mouchoir, des gants, un bouquet, Non pas fleures, ni chapelet. Quoi donc? attendez, je vous donne, O! fille plus belle que bonne, Qui m'avez toujours refusé Le point si souvent proposé, Je vous donne.-Ah! le puis-je dire? Oui; c'est trop souffrir le martyre, Patience va m'échapper, Fussiez-vous cent fois plus aimable, |