It may by chance happen, exciting surprize,
A fool may be wiser than one counted wise.
A lunatic--I could tell where,
Was plac'd beneath a Doctor's care,
Who ply'd the medic art--and, more,
To fit his head up as before.
A tenement should be kept whole,
Whether for body made, or soul;
And he who best can mend the flaws,
Mason or Doctor, gains applause.
Our patient's case, we humbly guess,
Attended was with some success;
And he allow'd when better found,
To traverse the adjacent ground.
With horse, with gun, and three dogs nigh,
A sporting gentleman pass'd by--
'I'm glad,' while o'er the horse he hover'd,
'To see you, Sir, so well recover'd.
What method is the Doctor taking,
That the complaint is you forsaking?'
'A water-tub he puts me in,
And makes me stand up to the chin.
So you expect to be a winner
By changing powder for a dinner.
But pray what game, 'twixt you and I,
In one whole year can you destroy?'
'Why thirty pounds worth, I should guess;
I think not more-perhaps 'tis less.'
'Then what expence this profit clogs,
In horses, ammunition, dogs?'
'Why, to support this annual feast,
Three hundred, I suppose, at least.'
'Then, Sir, inform me, are not you
The greatest madman of thetwo?
I almost tremble for your doom,
Lest my sagacious Doctor come.
Retreat! The moment he appears
He'll duck you over head and ears.'
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem