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THE DEAN would visit Market Hill, | |
Our invitation was but slight; | |
I said, Why let him, if he will. | |
And so I bade Sir Arthur write. | |
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His manners would not let him wait, | 5 |
Lest we should think ourselves neglected, | |
And so we see him at our gate | |
Three days before he was expected. | |
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After a week, a month, a quarter, | |
And day succeeding after day, | 10 |
Says not a word of his departure, | |
Though not a soul would have him stay. | |
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I ve said enough to make him blush, | |
Methinks, or else the devil s in t; | |
But he cares not for it a rush, | 15 |
Nor for my life will take the hint. | |
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But you, my dear, may let him know, | |
In civil language, if he stays, | |
How deep and foul the roads may grow, | |
And that he may command the chaise. | 20 |
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Or you may say, My wife intends, | |
Though I should be exceeding proud, | |
This winter to invite some friends, | |
And, sir, I know you hate a crowd. | |
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Or, Mr. Dean, I should with joy | 25 |
Beg you would here continue still, | |
But we must go to Aghnecloy, | |
Or Mr. Moore will take it ill. | |
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The house accounts are daily rising; | |
So much his stay doth swell the bills: | 30 |
My dearest life, it is surprising | |
How much he eats, how much he swills. | |
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His brace of puppies, how they stuff! | |
And they must have three meals a day, | |
Yet never think they get enough; | 35 |
His horses too eat all our hay. | |
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O, if I could, how I would maul | |
His tallow face and wainscot paws, | |
His beetle brows, and eyes of wall, | |
And make him soon give up the cause! | 40 |
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Must I be every moment chid | |
With Skinnybonia, Snipe, and Lean? | |
O that I could but once be rid | |
Of this insulting tyrant Dean! | |
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