Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 16.djvu/367

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DR. SWIFT'S REMARKS[1]

On "The first Fifteen Psalms of David translated into[2] Lyric Verse. Proposed as an Essay supplying the Perspicuity and Coherence according to the Modern Art of Poetry; not known to have been attempted before[3] in any Language, With a Preface, containing some Observations of the great and general Defectives of[4] the present Version in Greek, Latin, and English; by Dr. [James] Gibbs[5]. London, printed by J. Mathews, for J. Bartley, over-against Gray's-Inn, in Holborn, 1701."


DR. GIBBS.
[PSALM OF DAVID[1].

Comparing the different state of the righteous and the wicked, both in this and the next world.

THRICE happy he that doth refuse
With impious [2] sinners to combine;
Who ne'er their wicked way pursues,
And does the sinners seat [3] decline.


DR. SWIFT.

[1] I warn the reader that this is a lie, both here and all over this book; for these are not the Psalms of David, but of Dr. Gibbs.

[2] But, I suppose, with pious sinners a man may combine safely enough.

[3] What part of speech is it?

But
  1. By a memorandum on the first page it appears that these Remarks were thought valuable by one who must be allowed to have been of no inconsiderable rank both as a poet and a humourist: "The following manuscript was literally copied from the printed original, found in the library of Dr. J. Swift, dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin. The marginal notes and parodies were written by the dean's own hand, except such as are distinguished with this mark (φ), with which I am only chargeable. Witness my hand, this 25th day of February, 1745. William Dunkin. "N.B. The original was by me presented to his excellency Philp Dormer Stanhope earl of Chesterfield, lord lieutenant general and general governor of Ireland. W. D."
  2. Bagpipe. Swift.
  3. Nor I hope ever will again. Swift.
  4. this and Swift.
  5. Sternholdides. Swift.

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