Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79.

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Verses on Blenheim

By Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)

“A lion tearing a cock to pieces was placed in front of Blenheim House; a wretched pun in architecture, deservedly criticised in the Spectator.”—Scott.

SEE, here ’s the grand approach,

That way is for his grace’s coach;

There lies the bridge, and there the clock,

Observe the lion and the cock;

The spacious court, the colonnade,

And mind how wide the hall is made;

The chimneys are so well designed,

They never smoke in any wind:

The galleries contrived for walking,

The windows to retire and talk in;

The council-chamber to debate,

And all the rest are rooms of state.

“Thanks, sir,” cried I, “’t is very fine,

But where d’ ye sleep, or where d’ ye dine?

I find, by all you have been telling,

That ’t is a house, but not a dwelling.”