Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DR. DELANY'S VILLA, by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) Poet's Biography First Line: Would you that delville I describe? Last Line: There's nothing but yourself that's great. Variant Title(s): A Description Of Doctor Delany's Villa Subject(s): Delany, Patrick (1685-1768); Houses | ||||||||
Would you that Delville I describe? Believe me, Sir, I will not gibe; For who would be satirical Upon a thing so very small? You scarce upon the borders enter, Before you're at the very center. A single crow can make it night, When o'er your farm she takes her flight; Yet, in this narrow compass, we Observe a vast variety; Both walks, walls, meadows and parterres, Windows and doors, and rooms and stairs, And hills and dales, and woods and fields, And hay and grass and corn, it yields; All to your haggard brought so cheap in, Without the mowing or the reaping -- A razor, though to say't I'm loath, Would shave you and your meadows both. Though small's the farm, yet here's a house Full large to entertain a mouse; But where a rat is dreaded more Than savage Caledonian boar; For, if it's entered by a rat, There is no room to bring a cat. A little rivulet seems to steal Down through a thing you call a vale, Like tears adown a wrinkled cheek, Like rain along a blade of leek; And this you call your sweat meander, Which might be sucked up by a gander, Could he but force his nether bill To scoop the channel of the rill. For sure you'd make a mighty clutter, Were it as big as city gutter. Next come I to your kitchen garden, Where one poor mouse would fare but hard in; And round this garden is a walk No longer than a tailor's chalk; Thus I compare what space is in it, A snail creeps round it in a minute. One lettuce makes a shift to squeeze Up through the tuft you call your trees, And once a year a single rose Peeps from the bud, but never blows; In vain then you expect its bloom! It cannot blow for want of room. In short, in all your boasted seat, There's nothing but yourself that's great. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWO-RIVER LEDGER by KHALED MATTAWA SEVEN TWILIGHTS: 3 by CONRAD AIKEN FOR THE REBUILDING OF A HOUSE by WENDELL BERRY JERONIMO'S HOUSE by ELIZABETH BISHOP MENDING THE ADOBE by HAYDEN CARRUTH MY HUT; AFTER TRAN QUANG KHAI by HAYDEN CARRUTH A LETTER FROM DR. SHERIDAN TO DR. SWIFT by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) A LETTER OF ADVICE TO RIGHT HON. JOHN EARL OF ORRERY by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) A PROLOGUE TO A PLAY PERFORMED AT MR. SHERIDAN'S SCHOOL by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738) |
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