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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN EPIGRAM INSCRIBED TO THE HONOURABLE SERJEANT KITE by JONATHAN SWIFT

First Line: IN YOUR INDIGNATION WHAT MERCY APPEARS
Last Line: HE HAD CUT HIS OWN EARS TO BE DEAF TO YOUR NONSENSE.
In your indignation what mercy appears,
While Jonathan's threatened with loss of his ears;
For who would not think it a much better choice,
By your knife to be mangled than racked with your voice.
If truly you would be revenged on the parson,
Command his attendance while you act your farce on,
Instead of your maiming, your shooting, or banging,
Bid Povey secure him while you are haranguing.
Had this been your method to torture him, long since,
He had cut his own ears to be deaf to your nonsense.



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