Verses on Blenheim. Jonathan Swift (1667-1745). Woodstock. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. 1876-79. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes. England: Vols. I-IV

Verse > Anthologies > Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. > Poems of Places > England

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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79.

Woodstock

Verses on Blenheim

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)

“A lion tearing a cock to pieces was placed in front of Blenheim House; a wretched pun in architecture, deservedly criticised in the Spectator.”—Scott.

SEE, here ’s the grand approach,
That way is for his grace’s coach;
There lies the bridge, and there the clock,
Observe the lion and the cock;
The spacious court, the colonnade,	5
And mind how wide the hall is made;
The chimneys are so well designed,
They never smoke in any wind:
The galleries contrived for walking,
The windows to retire and talk in;	10
The council-chamber to debate,
And all the rest are rooms of state.
“Thanks, sir,” cried I, “’t is very fine,
But where d’ ye sleep, or where d’ ye dine?
I find, by all you have been telling,	15
That ’t is a house, but not a dwelling.”

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