The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 16/A Punning Letter to Lord Pembroke 1
A Letter to the Earl of Pembroke,
It is now a good while since I resolved to take some occasions of congratulating with your lordship, and condoling with the publick, upon your lordship's leaving the admiralty; and I thought I could never choose a better time, than when I am in the country with my lord bishop of Clogher, and his brother the doctor; for we pretend to a triumvirate of as humble servants and true admirers of your lordship, as any you have in both islands. You may call them a triumvirate; for, if you please to try-um, they will vie with the best, and are of the first rate, though they are not men of war, but men of the church. To say the truth, it was a pity your lordship should be confined to the Fleet, when you are not in debt. Though your lordship is cast away, you are not sunk; nor ever will be, since nothing is out of your lordship's depth. Dr. Ashe says, it is but justice that your lordship, who is a man of letters, should be placed upon the post-office; and my lord bishop adds, that he hopes to see your lordship tossed
from that post to be a pillar of state again; which he desired I would put in by way of postscript. I am, my lord, &c.