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A PASTORAL DIALOGUE

WRITTEN JUNE, 1727, JUST AFTER THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF GEORGE I, WHO DIED THE 12TH OF THAT MONTH IN GERMANY

This poem was written when George II succeeded his father, and bore the following explanatory introduction:

Richmond Lodge is a house with a small park belonging to the crown. It was usually granted by the crown for a lease of years. The Duke of Ormond was the last who had it. After his exile, it was given to the Prince of Wales by the king. The prince and princess usually passed their summer there. It is within a mile of Richmond.

"Marble Hill is a house built by Mrs. Howard, then of the bedchamber, now Countess of Suffolk, and groom of the stole to the queen. It is on the Middlesex side, near Twickenham, where Pope lives, and about two miles from Richmond Lodge. Pope was the contriver of the gardens, Lord Herbert the architect, the Dean of St. Patrick's chief butler, and keeper of the ice-house. Upon King George's death, these two houses met, and had the above dialogue."—Dublin Edition, 1734.

In spight of Pope, in spight of Gay,

And all that he or they can say;

Sing on I must, and sing I will,

Of Richmond Lodge and Marble Hill.

Last Friday night, as neighbours use,

This couple met to talk of news:

For, by old proverbs, it appears,

That walls have tongues, and hedges ears.

MARBLE HILL

Quoth Marble Hill, right well I ween,

Your mistress now is grown a queen;

You'll find it soon by woful proof,

She'll come no more beneath your roof.

RICHMOND LODGE

The kingly prophet well evinces,

That we should put no trust in princes:

My royal master promised me

To raise me to a high degree:

But now he's grown a king, God wot,

I fear I shall be soon forgot.

You see, when folks have got their ends,

How quickly they neglect their friends;

Yet I may say, 'twixt me and you,

Pray God, they now may find as true!

MARBLE HILL

My house was built but for a show, My lady's empty pockets know; And now she will not have a shilling,

To raise the stairs, or build the ceiling; For all the courtly madams round Now pay four shillings in the pound; 'Tis come to what I always thought: My dame is hardly worth a groat. Had you and I been courtiers born, We should not thus have lain forlorn; For those we dext'rous courtiers call, Can rise upon their masters' fall:

But we, unlucky and unwise, Must fall because our masters rise.

RICHMOND LODGE

My master, scarce a fortnight since, Was grown as wealthy as a prince; But now it will be no such thing, For he'll be poor as any king;

And by his crown will nothing get, But like a king to run in debt.

MARBLE HILL

No more the Dean, that grave divine, Shall keep the key of my (no) wine; My ice-house rob, as heretofore, And steal my artichokes no more; Poor Patty Blount no more be seen Bedraggled in my walks so green: Plump Johnny Gay will now elope; And here no more will dangle Pope.

RICHMOND LODGE

Here wont the Dean, when he's to seek, To spunge a breakfast once a-week; To cry the bread was stale, and mutter Complaints against the royal butter. But now I fear it will be said,

No butter sticks upon his bread.

We soon shall find him full of spleen, For want of tattling to the queen; Stunning her royal ears with talking; His reverence and her highness walking: While Lady Charlotte, like a stroller, Sits mounted on the garden-roller.

A goodly sight to see her ride,

MARBLE HILL

Kind Richmond Lodge, the same to you.