1 CHURCHILL.
To describe him as he was would require all the knowledge, and all the eloquence of the immortal Taplin. Were I to attempt it in verse, with what peculiar propriety might I adopt the invocation of the Polish Poet.
Ducite Gratiæ
E valle Permessi vagantem
Pegason; alipedemque sacris
Frenate sertis.—Ut micat auribus!
Vocemque longé vatis amabili
Agnoscit hinnitu! Ut Dearum
Frena ferox, hilarique bullam
Collo poposcit.2
2 CASIMIR.
Might I not have applied the latter part of these verses as aptly, as they might truly have been applied to Nobs, when Barnaby was about to saddle him on a fine spring morning at the Doctor's bidding? But what have I to do with the Graces, or the Muses and their winged steed? My business is with plain truth and sober prose.
———Io non so dov'io debba comminciare,
Dal capo, da gli orecchi, o dalla coda.
Egli è per tutto tanto singulare,
Ch'io per me vò lodarlo, intero, intero;
Poi pigli ognun qual membro più gli pare.3
3 BUSINI.
Stubbs would have found it difficult to paint him, Reginald Heber himself to describe him as he was. I must begin by saying what he was not.
And grant me now,
Good reader, thou!
Of terms to use
Such choice to chuse,
As may delight
The country wight,
And knowledge bring:
For such do praise
The country phrase,
The country acts,
The country facts,
The country toys,
Before the joys
Of any thing.4
4 TUSSER.