A Courtier's Retort


While the prosecution for the Draper's fourth letter was depending,

Swift one day waited at the Castle for an audience of Lord Carteret, the

Lord Lieutenant, till his patience was exhausted; upon which he wrote

the following couplet on a window, and went away:--



My very good Lord, 'tis a very hard task,

For a man to wait here who has nothing to ask.



The Earl, upon this being shown to him, immediately wrote the following

answer underneath:--



My very good Dean, there are few who come here,

But have something to ask, or something to fear.



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