The father, a Welsh
rector of at least one hundred and fifty pounds per annum, was conveying
his eldest born to the care of the principal of Jesus, of which college
the family of the Joneses{5} had been a leading name since the time
of their great ancestor Hugh ap Price, son of Rees ap Rees, a wealthy
burgess of Brecknock, who founded this college for the sole use of the
sons of Cambria, in 1571.
5 DAVID JONES OR, WINE AND WORSTED.
Hugh Morgan, cousin of that Hugh
Whose cousin was, the Lord knows who,
Was likewise, as the story runs,
Tenth cousin of one David Jones.
David, well stored with classic knowledge,
Was sent betimes to Jesus College;
Paternal bounty left him clear
For life one hundred pounds a year;
And Jones was deem'd another Croesus
Among the Commoners of Jesus.
It boots not here to quote tradition,
In proof of David's erudition;--
He could unfold the mystery high,
Of Paulo-posts, and verbs in u;
Scan Virgil, and, in mathematics,
Prove that straight lines were not quadratics.
All Oxford hail'd the youth's _ingressus_,
And wond'ring Welshmen cried "Cot pless us!"
It happen'd that his cousin Hugh
Through Oxford pass'd, to Cambria due,
And from his erudite relation
Receiv'd a written invitation.
Pages:
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167