The Poetry Corner

Probatur Aliter

By Jonathan Swift

A long-ear'd beast, and a field-house for cattle, Among the coals doth often rattle.[1] A long-ear'd beast, a bird that prates, The bridegrooms' first gift to their mates, Is by all pious Christians thought, In clergymen the greatest fault.[2] A long-ear'd beast, and woman of Endor, If your wife be a scold, that will mend her.[3] With a long-ear'd beast, and medicine's use, Cooks make their fowl look tight and spruce.[4] A long-ear'd beast, and holy fable, Strengthens the shoes of half the rabble.[5] A long-ear'd beast, and Rhenish wine, Lies in the lap of ladies fine.[6] A long-ear'd beast, and Flanders College, Is Dr. T -- l, to my knowledge.[7] A long-ear'd beast, and building knight, Censorious people do in spite.[8] A long-ear'd beast, and bird of night, We sinners art too apt to slight.[9] A long-ear'd beast, and shameful vermin, A judge will eat, though clad in ermine.[10] A long-ear'd beast, and Irish cart, Can leave a mark, and give a smart.[11] A long-ear'd beast, in mud to lie, No bird in air so swift can fly.[12] A long-ear'd beast, and a sputt'ring old Whig, I wish he were in it, and dancing a jig.[13] A long-ear'd beast, and liquor to write, Is a damnable smell both morning and night.[14] A long-ear'd beast, and the child of a sheep, At Whist they will make a desperate sweep.[15] A beast long-ear'd, and till midnight you stay, Will cover a house much better than clay.[16] A long-ear'd beast, and the drink you love best, You call him a sloven in earnest for jest.[17] A long-ear'd beast, and the sixteenth letter, I'd not look at all unless I look'd better.[18] A long-ear'd beast give me, and eggs unsound, Or else I will not ride one inch of ground.[19] A long-ear'd beast, another name for jeer, To ladies' skins there nothing comes so near.[20] A long-ear'd beast, and kind noise of a cat, Is useful in journeys, take notice of that.[21] A long-ear'd beast, and what seasons your beef, On such an occasion the law gives relief.[22] A long-ear'd beast, a thing that force must drive in, Bears up his house, that's of his own contriving.[23]