Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A LETTER OF ADVICE TO RIGHT HON. JOHN EARL OF ORRERY, by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) Poet's Biography First Line: My lord, I know not what you mean Last Line: You may be justly ranked with men. Subject(s): Orrery, John Boyle. 5th Earl (1707-1762) | ||||||||
My Lord, I know not what you mean, By such encomiums on the Dean, By choosing all your time to waste, With one of his exploded taste! From whence, my Lord, I plainly see You've just as bad a taste as he; Therefore to gain a reputation, As you're a stranger in the nation, Take my advice, avoid him quite, And choose companions more polite. 'Twill cost you but a little pains To single out a score of Deans, Whose equals are not to be found In Irish or in English ground; For, here you can't be at a loss, There is Dean D-----1 and Dean C-----, And Dean I-----r and Dean S-----ne; These are the men will make you shine, And make mankind's united voice Applaud you for so wise a choice. Another fault -- forgive a friend -- You show, which I would have you mend; I mean your pouring over books (And one may see it in your looks) While folks as noble born as you More rational delights pursue, As horses, drabs, and dogs, and dice, And drinking hard, and dressing nice. If thus, my Lord, you'd show your parts, How soon you'd gain the ladies' hearts! Not all the witty things you say, Within the compass of day, Could half that strong impression make, As solitair, toupee and snake; And this, experiment shall show: Observe Clarinda with a beau, While you yourself are sitting by; She'll scarce vouchsafe you half an eye, But rather hear him hum one tune, Than hear you speak from June to June. Another scand'lous thing, my Lord -- You walk the streets without a sword, Alone without your footman Dick, Without the ornamental stick; I can assure you that some folks On this occasion have their jokes. I heard a beau, who shall be nameless, Declare he thought your lordship shameless; And thus went on: "I cannot bear To see that lord without a chair; The weather's fair I own; what then? Peers should not walk like other men. It is beneath their noble feet To tread upon a filthy street." This is the current cant that goes Among the wisest of our beaux. Pray don't give them such dire offence, But shun the puppies of low sense, Who make you basely turn aside From nonsense, vanity and pride, Those princely qualities which grace The inward man of outward lace; And then, my Lord, and not till then, You may be justly ranked with men. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PROLOGUE TO A PLAY PERFORMED AT MR. SHERIDAN'S SCHOOL by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) A RIDDLE by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) AN ODE. TO BE PERFORMED AT THE CASTLE OF DUBLIN by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) ANOTHER PICTURE OF DAN by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) ANSWER by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) BALLYSPELLIN by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) BIRTHDAY POEM ON ANNIVRSARY OF BIRTH OF REV. DR. SWIFT by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) COPY OF A COPY OF VERSES FROM THOMAS SHERIDAN TO GEORGE NIM-DAN-DEAN by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) DR. DELANY'S VILLA by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) DRAPIER'S BALLAD TO TUNE OF THE LONDON 'PRENTICE by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) ELEGY ON MUCH LAMENTED DEATH OF DEMAR, THE FAMOUS RICH MAN by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) |
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