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On Noisy Tom; Horace, Part Of Book I, Sat. VI, Paraphrased

By Jonathan Swift

Topics: classic

If Noisy Tom[1] should in the senate prate,     "That he would answer both for church and state;     And, farther, to demonstrate his affection,     Would take the kingdom into his protection;"     All mortals must be curious to inquire,     Who could this coxcomb be, and who his sire?     "What! thou, the spawn of him[2] who shamed our isle,     Traitor, assassin, and informer vile!     Though by the female side,[3] you proudly bring,     To mend your breed, the murderer of a king:     What was thy grandsire,[4] but a mountaineer,     Who held a cabin for ten groats a-year:     Whose master Moore[5] preserved him from the halter,     For stealing cows! nor could he read the Psalter!     Durst thou, ungrateful, from the senate chase     Thy founder's grandson,[6] and usurp his place?     Just Heaven! to see the dunghill bastard brood     Survive in thee, and make the proverb good?[7]     Then vote a worthy citizen to jail,[8]     In spite of justice, and refuse his bail!"[9]

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"If Noisy Tom[1] should in the senate prate,..."

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Author:Jonathan Swift

"If Noisy Tom[1] should in the senate prate,..." by Jonathan Swift

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Jonathan Swift

About Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) was an Irish satirist, essayist, and poet. Best known for "Gulliver's Travels," his poetry includes "A Description of a City Shower" and "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift." His sharp wit and moral indignation made him one of the greatest satirists in English.

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