An Excellent New Song; Upon His Grace Our Good Lord Archbishop Of Dublin Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A B CCDDEFGGHHIIJJIIKKLL MMNNIIIIOOPPOOQQRSTT MMIIUUVV| Dr King Archbishop of Dublin stood high in Swift's estimation by his opposition to Wood's coinage | A |
| - | |
| BY HONEST JO ONE OF HIS GRACE'S FARMERS IN FINGAL | B |
| - | |
| I sing not of the Drapier's praise nor yet of William Wood | C |
| But I sing of a famous lord who seeks his country's good | C |
| Lord William's grace of Dublin town 'tis he that first appears | D |
| Whose wisdom and whose piety do far exceed his years | D |
| In ev'ry council and debate he stands for what is right | E |
| And still the truth he will maintain whate'er he loses by't | F |
| And though some think him in the wrong yet still there comes a season | G |
| When every one turns round about and owns his grace had reason | G |
| His firmness to the public good as one that knows it swore | H |
| Has lost his grace for ten years past ten thousand pounds and more | H |
| Then come the poor and strip him so they leave him not a cross | I |
| For he regards ten thousand pounds no more than Wood's dross | I |
| To beg his favour is the way new favours still to win | J |
| He makes no more to give ten pounds than I to give a pin | J |
| Why there's my landlord now the squire who all in money wallows | I |
| He would not give a groat to save his father from the gallows | I |
| A bishop says the noble squire I hate the very name | K |
| To have two thousand pounds a year O 'tis a burning shame | K |
| Two thousand pounds a year good lord And I to have but five | L |
| And under him no tenant yet was ever known to thrive | L |
| Now from his lordship's grace I hold a little piece of ground | M |
| And all the rent I pay is scarce five shillings in the pound | M |
| Then master steward takes my rent and tells me Honest Jo | N |
| Come you must take a cup of sack or two before you go | N |
| He bids me then to hold my tongue and up the money locks | I |
| For fear my lord should send it all into the poor man's box | I |
| And once I was so bold to beg that I might see his grace | I |
| Good lord I wonder how I dared to look him in the face | I |
| Then down I went upon my knees his blessing to obtain | O |
| He gave it me and ever since I find I thrive amain | O |
| Then said my lord I'm very glad to see thee honest friend | P |
| I know the times are something hard but hope they soon will mend | P |
| Pray never press yourself for rent but pay me when you can | O |
| I find you bear a good report and are an honest man | O |
| Then said his lordship with a smile I must have lawful cash | Q |
| I hope you will not pay my rent in that same Wood's trash | Q |
| God bless your Grace I then replied I'd see him hanging higher | R |
| Before I'd touch his filthy dross than is Clandalkin spire | S |
| To every farmer twice a week all round about the Yoke | T |
| Our parsons read the Drapier's books and make us honest folk | T |
| And then I went to pay the squire and in the way I found | M |
| His bailie driving all my cows into the parish pound | M |
| Why sirrah said the noble squire how dare you see my face | I |
| Your rent is due almost a week beside the days of grace | I |
| And yet the land I from him hold is set so on the rack | U |
| That only for the bishop's lease 'twould quickly break my back | U |
| Then God preserve his lordship's grace and make him live as long | V |
| As did Methusalem of old and so I end my song | V |
Jonathan Swift
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