4 PROLOGUE. Him I obey, whom heaven itself obeys, THE DOUBLE TRANSFORMATION; A TALE.' SECLUDED from domestic strife Jack Book-worm led a college life; Such pleasures, unallay'd with care, 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, 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, But dressing, patching, repartee; And, just as humour rose or fell, By turns a slattern or a belle. 'Tis true she dress'd with modern grace, Half naked at a ball or race; 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 eyes! He knows not how, but so it is, Her face is grown a knowing phiz; And, though her fops are wondrous civil, 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 |