THE DOUBLE TRANSFORMATION; A TALE.' SECLUDED from domestic strife Such pleasures, unallay'd with care, ravage in a country town! Or Jack had wanted eyes to gaze! This and the following poem were published by Dr Goldsmith in his volume of Essays, which appeared in 1765. O!--but let exclamations cease, Her presence banish'd all his peace. So with decorum all things carried; Miss frown'd, and blush'd, and then was-married. Need we expose to vulgar sight The raptures of the bridal night? The honey-moon like lightning flew, Skill'd in no other arts was she, Half naked at a ball or race; grace, But when at home, at board or bed, Five greasy night-caps wrapp'd her head. Could so much beauty condescend In short, by night, 'twas fits or fretting; Jack suck'd his pipe, and often broke While all their hours were past between Thus as her faults each day were known, He thinks her features coarser grown; He fancies every vice she shows, Or thins her lip, or points her nose : Whenever rage or envy rise, How wide her mouth, how wild her He knows not how, but so it is, eyes! . Her face is grown a knowing phiz; And, though her fops are wondrous civil, He thinks her ugly as the devil. Now, to perplex the ravell'd noose, As each a different way pursues, While sullen or loquacious strife Promised to hold them on for life, That dire disease, whose ruthless power Withers the beauty's transient flower : Lo! the small-pox, whose horrid glare Levell❜d its terrors at the fair; And, rifling every youthful grace, Left but the remnant of a face, The glass, grown hateful to her sight, Reflected now a perfect fright : Each former art she vainly tries Poor madam now condemn'd to hack The rest of life with anxious Jack, Perceiving others fairly flown, Attempted pleasing him alone. Jack soon was dazzled to behold Her present face surpass the old : With modesty her cheeks are dyed, For tawdry finery is seen No more presuming on her sway, NEW SIMILE, IN THE MANNER OF SWIFT. LONG had I sought in vain to find Imprimis, Pray observe his hat, Wings upon either side—mark that. Well! what is it from thence we gather? Why these denote a brain of feather. |