PHRYNE.

PHRYNE had talents for mankind,
Open she was, and unconfin'd,

Like some free port of trade:
Merchants unloaded here their freight,
And Agents from each foreign state,
Here first their entry made.

Her learning and good breeding such,
Whether th' Italian or the Dutch,

Spaniards or French came to her :
To all obliging she'd appear:

'Twas Si, Signior, 'twas Yaw, Mynheer,
'Twas S'il vous plaist, Monsieur.

Obscure by birth, renown'd by crimes,
Still changing names, religions, climes,

At length she turns a Bride:
In di'monds, pearls, and rich brocades,
She shines the first of batter'd jades,
And flutters in her pride.

So have I known those Insects fair
(Which curious Germans hold so rare)

Still vary shapes and dyes;

Still gain new Titles with new forms;

First grubs obscene, then wriggling worms,
Then painted butterflies.'

1 These two Imitations are evidently suggested by Dorset's lines

10

15

20

'On the Countess of Dorchester, Mistress to James II.'

5

VII.

DR. SWIFT.'

THE HAPPY LIFE OF A COUNTRY PARSON.

4

PARSON, these things in thy possessing
Are better than the Bishop's blessing.
A Wife that makes conserves; a Steed
That carries double when there's need:
October store, and best Virginia,'
Tithe-Pig, and mortuary Guinea: '
Gazettes sent gratis down, and frank'd,
For which thy Patron's weekly thank'd :'
A large Concordance, bound long since:
Sermons to Charles the First, when Prince;
A Chronicle of ancient standing;
A Chrysostom to smooth thy band in.
The Polyglot-three parts,—my text,
Howbeit,-likewise-now to my next.
Lo here the Septuagint,—and Paul,
To sum the whole, -the close of all."

He that has these, may pass his life,
Drink with the 'Squire, and kiss his wife;
On Sundays preach, and eat his fill;

And fast on Fridays—if he will;

Toast Church and Queen, explain the News,
Talk with Church-Wardens about Pews,
Pray heartily for some new Gift,

And shake his head at Doctor S-t.

1 First published in the "Miscellanies" as an Imitation of Martial. 2 i.e., October ale and shag tobacco. 3 The Burial fee.

4 Compare Dunciad i. 231, and note. The allusion to Bland would

seem to show that this Imitation must have been written about the same time as the "Dunciad."

5 He here imitates what he calls in the Second Versification of Donne, Swift's closer style.'

EPIGRAMS AND INSCRIPTIONS.