A goodly sight to see her ride,
With ancient Mirmont at her side.
In velvet cap his head is warm,
His hat, for shame, beneath his arm.
Other poets were occasionally more audacious than Swift in appropriating domestic incidents in the princess’s family for their subjects. Early in 1723 one of them thus addresses an expected member of that family:—
Promis’d blessing of the year,
Fairest blossom of the Spring,
Thy fond mother’s wish;—appear!
Haste to hear the linnets sing!
Haste to breathe the vernal air,