Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/334

HUMOUROUS LINES BY LORD TREASURER OXFORD, SENT TO DR. SWIFT, DR. ARBUTHNOT, MR. POPE, AND MR. GAY.

April 14, 1714. Back Stairs, past eight.

GAY,

IN a summons so large, which all clergy contains,
I must turn Dismal's^[1] convert, or part with my brains,
Should I scruple to quit the back stairs for your blind ones,
Or refuse your true juncto^[2] for one of ——

The following is their answer to his lordship, chiefly written by the dean.

Let not the whigs our tory club rebuke;
Give us our earl^[3], the devil take their duke^[4]
Quædam quæ attinent ad Scriblerum,
Want your assistance now to clear 'em.
One day it will be no disgrace,
In Scribler to have had a place,
Come then, my lord, and take your part in
The important history of Martin.

1. Dismal was lord Nottingham.
2. Dr. Swift, Dr. Arbuthnot, Mr. Pope, and Mr. Gay, were writing the history of Martinus Scriblerus; and these four wits, in conjunction, are styled by lord treasurer a juncto.
3. Of Oxford.
4. Of Marlborough.

THE