The Adventures of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque
Part 7
Dr. Syntax Tumbling into the Water
Excerpts from Canto 10
Dr. Syntax, after falling into the lake in Canto 9, becomes sick:
"...It was not Vice that
e'er could keep
Dear Syntax from
refreshing sleep;
For no foul thought, no
wicked art.
In his pure life e'er
bore a part.
Some ailment dire his
slumbers broke.
And, ere the sun arose
he awoke;
When such a tremor o'er
him pass'd.
He thought that hour
would prove his last.
His limbs were all
besieg'd by pain;
He now grew hot, then
cold again:
His tongue was parch'd,
his lips were dry,
And, heaving the
unbidden sigh.
He rang the bell, and
call'd for aid.
Then groan'd so loud,
th' affrighted maid
Spread the alarm
throughout the house;
When straight the
landlord and his spouse
Made all despatch to do
their best
And ease the sufferings
of their guest. ..."
Eventually Dr. Syntax regains his health and he goes forward on his quest for the picturesque -- which so far has brought him more trouble than anything else.
When, on the fourth, in
health renew'd.
His anxious journey he
pursu'd.
In two days more, before
his eyes
The stately towers of
York arise.
"But what,"
said he, "can all this mean?
What is yon crowded busy
.scene?
Ten thousand souls, I do
maintain,
Are scattered over
yonder plain,"
"Ay, more than
that," a man replied.
Who trotted briskly by
his side,
"And if you choose,
I’ll be your guide:
For sure you will not
pass this way.
And miss the pleasure of
the day:
These are the races, to
whose sport
Nobles and gentry all
resort."
Thought Syntax I'll just
take a look;
Twill give a subject to
my book. ..."
Dr. Syntax loses his money at the Race ground at York
It will come as no surprise to those of you who've followed the good doctor's journey so far that the man who offers his services is less than honest! He tempts Dr Syntax into a wager -- which results in a loss of 20 pounds. Another dilemma for our hero.
What would have been his
hapless fate.
In this most unexpected
state,
May well be guess'd:
but, lo! a friend
Fortune was kind enough
to send.
An honest 'Squire, who
smok'd the trick,
Appeared well arm'd with
oaken stick.
And placing many a
sturdy blow
Upon the shoulders of
the foe,
"It is with all my
soul I beat
This vile, this most
notorious cheat..."
"...
Syntax his simple story
told ; —
The 'Squire, as kind as
he was bold.
His full protection now
affords
And cheer'd him both
with wine and words.
"I love the Clergy
from my heart,
And always take a
parson's part.
My father, Doctor, wore
the gown;
A better man was never
known...."
There follows another long conversation extolling the virtues of the clergy. Dr. Syntax, in his own opinion, has never had a clerical lliving (job) worthy of his abilities, and he tells that to almost everyone he meets. To a great extent thiese dialogues prepare us for the denouement to come after many more adventures.
Excerpts from Canto 11
After a comfortable night with the squire and his wife, over a hearty breakfast Dr. Syntax is addressed by his host:
This morning I intend to
go
To see the military
show.
The light dragoons, now
quartered here.
Will all in grand review
appear :
They are a regiment of
renown.
And some great general
is come down
To see them all, in
bright array,
Act the fierce battle of
the day.
If you should like such
sights as these, —
If Warlike feats your
fancy please.
We'll to the common take
a ride.
And I myself will be
your guide:
So, if you please,
within an hour
Our nags shall be before
the door."...
Dr. Syntax at the Review
Naturally the good doctor agrees. But just as they are about to leave he receives a letter from his wife, full of loal gossip from home...which concludes as follows:
"...So fare you well, my dearest
life,—-
And I remain your loving
wife."
Postscript.
" But if you fear
that you shall come
Without a bag of money
home,
Twere better far that
you should take
A leap at once into the
Lake:
I'd rather hear that you
were drown'd,
Than that you should my
hopes confound!"
These tender lines did
not impart
Much comfort to the
Doctor's heart;
He therefore thought it
would be better
To lay aside this pretty
letter;
Nor suffer its contents
to sour
The pleasure of the
present hour.
The 'Squire now became
his guide,
So off they trotted,
side by side;
And, ere they pass'd a
mile or two,^
Beheld the scene of the
review.
The troops drawn up in
proud array,
An animating sight
display ;
The well-form'd
squadrons wheel around.
The standards wave, the
trumpets sound..."
The horese Grizzle recalls her long-ago days as a war horse by resonding vigorously to the trumpets. But Dr. Syntax manages to survive the charge and eventually returns to his host's home, where the Squire and his Wife entertain him with some songs. Dr. Syntax reciprocates.
"Doctor Syntax's Song.
I've got a scold of a
wife.
The plague and storm of
my life;
O! were she in coal-pit
bottom.
And all such jades, 'od
rot 'em!
My cares would then be
over.
And I should live in
clover;
With harum scarum, horum
scorum,
Stew'd prunes for ever!
Stew'd prunes for ever! ...
The song continues for many verses and concludes:
...By fam'd UIlyssus' stream
How oft I fondly dream,
When I read in classic
pages,
Of all the ancient
sages;
But they were born to
die,
And so were you and I;
With harum scarum, horum
scorum,-
Stew'd prunes for everl
Stew'd prunes for ever !
Thus, with many a
pleasant lay,
The party clos'd th'
exhausted day.
More to come...
