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Johnsoniana
LINES IN RIDICULE OF CERTAIN
POEMS PUBLISHED IN 1777
Wheresoe'er I turn my view,
All is strange, yet nothing new;
Endless labour all along,
Endless labour to be wrong;
Phrase that time hath flung away,
Uncouth words in disarray,
Trick'd in antique ruff and bonnet,
Ode and elegy and sonnet.
SAMUEL JOHNSON
IMITATION OF THE STYLE OF * * * *
Hermit hoar, in solemn cell
Wearing out life's evening grey;
Strike thy bosom, Sage, and tell
What is bliss, and which the way.
Thus I spoke, and speaking sigh'd,
Scarce repress'd the starting tear,
When the hoary sage, reply'd,
Come, my lad, and drink some beer.
SAMUEL JOHNSON
AN EXPOSTULATION
When late I attempted your pity to move,
What made you so deaf to my prayers?
Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love,
But—why did you kick me downstairs?
ISAAC BICKERSTAFF
77