dickory cronke(迪克雷·克龙克)-第8节
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13。 About this time the pope will die； and after a great many
intrigues and struggles； a Spanish cardinal shall be elected； who shall
decline the dignity； and declare his marriage with a great lady； heiress of
one of the chief principalities in Italy； which may occasion new troubles in
Europe； if not timely prevented。
14。 In 1727； new troubles shall break out in the north； occasioned by
the sudden death of a certain prince； and the avarice and ambition of
another。 Poor Poland seems to be pointed at； but the princes of the south
shall enter into a confederacy to preserve her； and shall at length restore
her peace； and prevent the perpetual ruin of her constitution。
15。 Great endeavours will be used about this time for a
comprehension in religion； supported by crafty and designing men； and a
party of mistaken zealots； which they shall artfully draw in to join with
them； but as the project is ill…concerted； and will be worse managed； it will
come to nothing； and soon afterwards an effectual mode will be taken to
prevent the like attempt for the future。
16。 1728 will be a year of inquiry and retrospection。 Many exorbitant
grants will be reassumed； and several persons who thought themselves
secure will be called before the senate； and compelled to disgorge what
they have unjustly pillaged either from the crown or the public。
17。 About this time a new scaffold will be erected upon the confines
of a certain great city； where an old count of a new extraction； that has
been of all parties and true to none； will be doomed by his peers to make
his first appearance。 After this an old lady who has often been exposed
to danger and disgrace； and sometimes brought to the very brink of
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DICKORY CRONKE
destruction； will be brought to bed of three daughters at once； which they
shall call Plenty； Peace； and Union； and these three shall live and grow up
together； be the glory of their mother； and the comfort of posterity for
many generations。
This is the substance of what he either writ or extracted from his
papers in the interval between the loss of his speech and the return of his
fit； which happened exactly at the time he had computed。
Upon the approach of his fit； he made signs to be put to bed； which
was no sooner done but he was seized with extreme agonies； which he
bore up under with the greatest steadfastness； and after a severe conflict；
that lasted near eight hours； he expired。
Thus lived and thus died this extraordinary person； a person； though of
mean extraction and obscure life； yet when his character comes to be fully
and truly known； it will be read with pleasure； profit； and admiration。
His perfections at large would be the work of a volume； and
inconsistent with the intention of these papers。 I will； therefore； only add；
for a conclusion； that he was a man of uncommon thought and judgment；
and always kept his appetites and inclinations within their just limits。
His reason was strong and manly； his understanding sound and active；
and his temper so easy； equal； and complaisant； that he never fell out；
either with men or accidents。 He bore all things with the highest
affability； and computed justly upon their value and consequence； and then
applied them to their proper uses。
A LETTER FROM OXFORD
Sir；
Being informed that you speedily intend to publish some memoirs
relating to our dumb countryman； Dickory Cronke； I send you herewith a
few lines； in the nature of an elegy； which I leave you to dispose of as you
think fit。 I knew and admired the man； and if I were capable； his
character should be the first thing I would attempt。
Yours。 &c。
AN ELEGY； IN MEMORY OF DICKORY CRONKE； THE DUMB
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DICKORY CRONKE
PHILOSOPHER。
Vitiis nemo sine nascitur； optimus ille est； Qui minimus urgetur。
HORACE。
If virtuous actions emulation raise； Then this good man deserves
immortal praise。 When nature such extensive wisdom lent； She sure
designed him for our precedent。 Such great endowments in a man
unknown； Declare the blessings were not all his own； But rather granted
for a time to show What the wise hand of Providence can do。 In him we
may a bright example see Of nature； justice； and morality； A mind not
subject to the frowns of fate； But calm and easy in a servile state。 He
always kept a guard upon his will And feared no harm because he knew no
ill。 A decent posture and an humble mien； In every action of his life were
seen。 Through all the different stages that he went； He still appeared both
wise and diligent： Firm to his word； and punctual to his trust； Sagacious；
frugal； arable； and just。 No gainful views his bounded hopes could sway；
No wanton thought led his chaste soul astray。 In short； his thoughts and
actions both declare； Nature designed him her philosopher； That all
mankind； by his example taught； Might learn to live； and manage every
thought。 Oh！ could my muse the wondrous subject grace； And； from his
youth； his virtuous actions trace； Could I in just and equal numbers tell
How well he lived； and how devoutly fell； I boldly might your strict
attention claim； And bid you learn； and copy out the man。
J。 P。 Exeter College； August 25th； 1719。
EPITAPH
The occasion of this epitaph was briefly thus：… A gentleman； who had
heard much in commendation of this dumb man； going accidentally to the
churchyard where he was buried； and finding his grave without a
tombstone； or any manner of memorandum of his death； he pulled out his
pencil； and writ as follows：…
PAUPER UBIQUE JACET。
Near to this lonely unfrequented place； Mixed with the common dust；
neglected lies The man that every muse should strive to grace； And all the
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DICKORY CRONKE
world should for his virtue prize。 Stop； gentle passenger； and drop a tear；
Truth； justice； wisdom； all lie buried here。
What； though he wants a monumental stone； The common pomp of
every fool or knave； Those virtues which through all his actions shone
Proclaim his worth； and praise him in the grave。 His merits will a bright
example give； Which shall both time and envy too outlive。
Oh； had I power but equal to my mind； A decent tomb should soon this
place adorn； With this inscription： Lo； here lies confined A wondrous
man； although obscurely born； A man； though dumb； yet he was nature's
care； Who marked him out her own philosopher。
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