The Works

DR. SWIFT'S REMARKS *

On "The first Fifteen Psalms of David translated into + 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 † in any Language. With a Preface containing
some Observations of the great and general Defectives of || the
present Version in Greek, Latin, and English; by Dr. [James]
Gibbs §. London, printed by J. Mathews, for J. Bartley, over-
against Gray's Inn, in Holborn. 1701."

+ Bagpipe. Nor I hope ever will again. | this and

Sternholdides. SWIFT.

* 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 (4), with which I am only chargeable.

" Witness my hand, this 25th day day of February, 1745"N.B. The original was by me presented to his excellency Philip Dormer Stanhope earl of Chesterfield, lord lieutenant general and general governor of Ireland,

[PSALM OF DAVID [1].

Comparing the different state of the righ-
teous and the wicked, both in this and the

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.

But still to learn and to obey

The law of God is his delight,
In that employs himself all day,
And reads and thinks thereon at [4] night.

For as a tree, whose spreading root
By some prolifick stream is fed,
Produces [5] fair and lively fruit, DANG
boughs adorn its head;

DR. GIBBS.

Whose very [6] leaves tho' storms descend, In lively verdure still appear: Such blessings always shall attend

The man that does the Lord revere.

The above may serve for a tolerable specimen of Swift's Remarks. The whole should be given, if it were possible to make them intelligible without copying the version which is ridiculed; a labour for which our readers would scarcely thank us. A few detached stanzas, however, with the Dean's notes on them, shall be transcribed.

DR. GIBBS.

Why do the heathen nations rise,
And in mad tumults join!
Confederate kings vain plots [1] devise
Against the Almighty's reign!

DR. GIBB9,

But those that do thy laws refuse,
In pieces thou shalt break;
[2] And with an iron sceptre bruise
The disobedient [3] neck.

Ye earthly kings, the caution bear,
Ye rulers, learn the same [4];
Serve God with reverence, and with fear [5]
His joyful praise proclaim.

[1] For should the madness of his foes

Th' avenging God incense,
Happy are they that can repose
In him their confidence [z].

DA. SWIFT.

[2] After a man is broken in pieces, it is no great matter to have his neck bruised. [3] Neak.

[4] Rulers must learn it, but kings may only bear it.

[5] Very proper, to make
a joytul proclamation with fear.

[1] For should the foes of
David's ape
Provoke his gray-goose
quills,

Happy are they that can

escape

The vengeance of his pills.

[2] Admirably reasoned and connected!

DR. GIBBS.

No fears shall then my soul depress *,
Though thus my enemies increase:
[3] And therefore now arise, O Lord*,
And graciously thy help afford.

And thus [4] to gra Belongs to God's [5] omnipotence.

grant a sure defence

But you, my frail (6) malicious foes, Who do my power despise,

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Livros

The Works, Volume 24