But foon his rhetorick forfook him, When he the folemn hall had feen; A fudden fit of ague fhook him, He stood as mute as poor Macleane. Yet fomething he was heard to mutter, "How in the park beneath an old-tree "(Without defign to hurt the butter, "Or any malice to the poultry,) "He once or twice had penn'd a fonnet; "Yet hop'd; that he might fave his bacon: "Numbers would give their oaths upon it, "He ne'er was for a conj'rer taken." The A famous highwayman hang'd the week before, The ghoftly Prudes with hagged face Already had condemn'd the finner. She smil'd, and bid him come to dinner. "Jefu-Maria! Madam Bridget, "Why, what can the Viscountess mean Decorum's turn'd to mere civility; Her air and all her manners fhew it. "Condemn'd me to her affability! "Speak to a Commoner and Poet!” [Here 500 Stanzas are loft.]· And And fo, God fave our noble King, And guard us from long-winded Lubbers, That to eternity would fing, And keep my Lady from her Rubbers. HYMN |