And let some portions of superfluous ground To farmers near him, not displeased to say, “My tenants,” nor, “our worthy landlord,” they. Fix’d in his farm, he soon display’d his skill In small-boned lambs, the horse-hoe, and the drill; 50 From these he rose to themes of nobler kind, And show’d the riches of a fertile mind; To all around their visits he repaid, And thus his mansion and himself display’d. His rooms were stately, rather fine than neat, And guests politely call’d his house a seat; At much expense was each apartment graced, His taste was gorgeous, but it still was taste; In full festoons the crimson curtains fell, The sofas rose in bold elastic swell; 60 Mirrors in gilded frames display’d the tints Of glowing carpets and of colour’d prints; The weary eye saw every object shine, And all was costly, fanciful, and fine. As with his friends he pass’d the social hours, His generous spirit scorn’d to hide its powers; Powers unexpected, for his eye and air Gave no sure signs that eloquence was there; Oft he began with sudden fire and force, As loth to lose occasion for discourse; 70 Some, ’tis observed, who feel a wish to speak, Will a due place for introduction seek; On to their purpose step by step they steal, And all their way, by certain signals, feel; Others plunge in at once, and never heed Whose turn they take, whose purpose they impede; Resolved to shine, they hasten to begin, Of ending thoughtless--and of these was Gwyn. And thus he spake: ----“It grieves me to the soul To see how man submits to man’s control; 80 How overpower’d and shackled minds are led In vulgar tracks, and to submission bred; The coward never on himself relies, But to an equal for assistance flies; Man yields to custom as he bows to fate, In all things ruled--mind, body, and estate; In pain, in sickness, we for cure apply To them we know not, and we know not why; But that the creature has some jargon read, And got some Scotchman’s system in his head; 90 Some grave impostor, who will health insure, Long as your patience or your wealth endure; But mark them well, the pale and sickly crew, They have not health, and can they give it you? These solemn cheats their various methods choose; A system fires them, as a bard his muse: Hence wordy wars arise; the learn’d divide, And groaning patients curse each erring guide. “Next, our affairs are govern’d, buy or sell, Upon the deed the law must fix its spell; 100 Whether we hire or let, we must have still The dubious aid of an attorney’s skill; They take a part in every man’s affairs, And in all business some concern is theirs; Because mankind in ways prescribed are found,