Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S (4), by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S (4), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear sir, since you in humble wise
Last Line: And thus I'll keep you under.
Subject(s): Swift, Jonathan (1667-1745); Writing & Writers


Dear Sir, since you in humble wise
Have made a recantation,
From your low bended knees arise;
I hate such poor prostration.

'Tis bravery that moves the brave,
As one nail drives another;
If you from me would mercy have,
Pray, Sir, be such another.

You that so long maintained the field
With true poetic vigor,
Now you lay down your pen and yield;
You make a wretched figure.

Submit, but do't with sword in hand,
And write a panegyric
Upon the man you cannot stand;
I'll have it writ in lyric:

That all the boys I teach may sing
The achievements of their Chiron,
What conquests my stern looks can bring
Without the help of iron.

A small goose-quill, yclept a pen,
From magazine of standish,
Drawn forth's more dreadful to the Dean
Than any sword we brandish.

My ink's my flesh, my pen's my bolt;
When e'er I please to thunder,
I'll make you tremble like a colt,
And thus I'll keep you under.





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