An Epigram Inscribed To The Honourable Sergeant Kite

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Title:     An Epigram Inscribed To The Honourable Sergeant Kite
Author: Jonathan Swift [More Titles by Swift]

In your indignation what mercy appears,
While Jonathan's threaten'd with loss of his ears;
For who would not think it a much better choice,
By your knife to be mangled than rack'd with your voice.
If truly you [would] be revenged on the parson,
Command his attendance while you act your farce on;
Instead of your maiming, your shooting, or banging,
Bid Povey[1] secure him while you are haranguing.
Had this been your method to torture him, long since,
He had cut his own ears to be deaf to your nonsense.

[Footnote 1: Povey was sergeant-at-arms to the House of Commons.--_Scott_.]

[The end]
Jonathan Swift's poem: Epigram Inscribed To The Honourable Sergeant Kite

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