THE WITS PARAPHRAS'D: OR, Paraphrase upon Paraphrase. IN A BURLESQUE ON THE Several late Translations OF Ovids Epistles.

Juven. Sat. 10.
Et facilis cuivis rigidi censura cachinni.

LONDON, Printed for Will. Cademan, at the Popes-Head in the New Exchange in the Strand. 1680.

TO HIS Super-superlative Accomplish'd, and more than Thrice-Ingenious FRIEND, Mr. JULIAN, Principal Secretary TO THE MUSES.

SIR,

I Should be too unreasonable, by a tedious Epistle, to divert you from those more weighty and serious Affairs wherein the greatest and most Eminent Wits of the Nation have [Page] thought you worthy to be employ'd, but that I find a mean nonsensical Preface over a Glass of Wine, with­out Purging or Blooding, is not suf­ficient to Commend so Illaborate a Piece, without a Dedication.

Not that I am so much an Ape to follow the Fashion for any Fools humonr, tho' it has been done long before me in the State of Ignorance, or, as the Author calls it, Inno­cence, or that I am affected with a gaudy Frontispiece to a mean Build­ing, like a Close-stool with a Vel­vet [Page] Seat larger than the Pan that receives the Excrement, or a gawdy Miss in fine Cloaths, whose Out-side is of greater value with the Brokers than the whole Body: But that I doubt so inconsiderable a piece of Paper-work against the loud, robu­stious Wits, will hardly be able to withstand the Storm without a Snp­porter.

And since I must have a Patron, to whom can I better Address my self than to one who for his singular Endowments and Eminent Qualifi­cations, [Page] is not only of sufficient Abi­lities himself, but hath (as he just­ly merits) the whole Strength of the Nation for his Support.

Besides, were I not obliged, on the account of your extraordinary Bounty, who have from time to time so plentifully stored me with all the Rubbish of the Age, to give you the Tribute of my mean Talent, I ought in Civility to beg your Par­don for Monopolizing upon your property, besides your Apology to all our Friends for the Errata's of [Page] the Press, which you would not for­give the meanest Hackney without a Broad-side of Curses.

I must confess they are your Right, and you might have made that Advantage of them in single Sheets, which I never expected to make of the Impression.

But I hope you, whom the wiser Fundaments have thought fit to make their Scavenger, will not leave this sudden motion a Nusance to the vulgar Multitude, but preserve it [Page] from their Violence, till, like the rest of your former Collections, it comes to the best hands, and if it serves them in its proper Vse, it shall be ac­knowledged a Favour beyond the Merit of

Your most Divoted Friend and Humble Servant M. T.

THE PREFACE TO OVID'S EPISTLES.

THese Epistles of Ovid being so E­legantly Translated by the most Eminent wits of the Times, I will not presume so far upon my self, to think I can in a mean Burlesque add any thing to their vast Vndertakings.

Purpureus latè qui splendeat, &c. as Horace sayes.

Nor will I trouble your Head or mine, to know whether this great Atlas in Poetry was banisht for the lasciviousness of his Rhimes, or his Debauching the Emperour's Daughter; whether by Corinna, was meant Julia, or by Julia Corinna, of both, or nei­ther. ‘ [Page]Nec flocci facio.’ This I dare with my Author affirm, That he was a Gentleman of an antient Family, and had a pretty splendid Fortune; and whether he was designed for the Study of the Law or Gospel, I cannot tell: but this I dare presume to say, he was as smart a Wit, and as good a Poet, as He or I, or the very best of his Translators. ‘Nescivit quod bene cessit.’ And though he had many Contemporaries, and notable Rhimes in his own time, yet I cannot in all the Catalogue of Virgil, Catul­lus, Tibullus, or Propertius, find, that ever he made Vse of Club-wit, to help him out in his Epistles. ‘O Tempora! O mores!’ Yet, in our Polite Age, it makes me wonder that so many able Workmen should joyn their Shreds and Thrums together, to dress him up in a Buffoons Coat, when I really con­ceit (and I question not but there are more Fools in the World of my Opinion) that I in my own simple naked shape, come [Page] nearer the Original than the best on 'em.

Quo simplicius, &c.

But why Burlesque, an old-fashioned, short-wasted, crop-skirted Fustian Ierkin, when long Robes is all the Mode? It is a plaguy thing to be out of the fashion. ‘Pauper Aristoteles cogitur ire pedes.’ But needs must when the Devil drives. ‘Praestat otiosum esse quam nihil agere.’ Well, were I a M. or a Sir C. for half their number of Acres in good English ground, I wou'd quit all my Title to Parnassus, and engage never to write Burlesque; nay, not any thing else while I liv'd. ‘Cedant Arma Togae.’ Who had not rather be an Ass and an Al­derman, than a Wit and a Beggar; and had not rather hear the gingling of Guin­neys, than the ratling of Rhimes? 'tis bet­ter Harmony: and thirty Foot in London well improv'd, is a better sight, and yields more Interest per annum, than forty Di­sticks of Heroick. ‘ [Page]O fortunati nimium!’ But every one to his Trade. ‘Nemo sine Crimine vivit.’ I must confess, as they splay'd the Author before, I have gelt them: and why not? if these Brothers of a Mystery joyn together to clip the Kings English, because it comes first through their hands; and it fall next into my clutches, shall I not come in for a snack?

I put no Silver Plate upon a Copper stamp; nor do I set my Rubies in Gold and inamelling, to make them pass for Diamonds, but shew the down-right brazen-fac'd naked truth of the matter. Nor am I half so guil­ty of Clipping as my Masters. ‘Plura desunt.’ Of twenty four Epistlès of the Primitive Author, there are but twenty three left re­maining, an those so mangled and torn, and mis-placed from the decent Symmetry of Parts and Order they preserved for above Seventeen hundred years, that you can neither make Back nor Breast, Head nor Tail of 'em. ‘ [Page]Tempora mutantur.’ For my part, I observe the Method of my Translators; and if I have omitted any thing that was proper for my purpose, it was ei­ther because the Subject wou'd not admit of Burlesque, or because it was done to my hand. ‘Telam texunt & retexunt.’ Yet you will say it was a bold attempt, for a Pigmy Travestie to take up the Cudgels against those mighty Giants in Heroick; so many Briareus's hands joyn'd against me, when I had not one Friend in the whole World to stick by me, to clap in a finger for a Preface, having scarce allow'd me a fortnights time for the Doing; as it was manifest to some Persons of Repute and Quality, who very well knew with what Expedition it was run off, and hur­ried into the Press, before I had time to pe­ruse the Copies.

But I do not hope to extenuate my faults by an Elaborate Epistle, or an insinuating Preface, so much Exploded amongst the Mo­dern Sages: neither do I know the Vse or [Page] necessity of troubling you with them, but that I would not be out of the Fashion. ‘Verbum verbo.’ ‘ [...].’ I cou'd convince you out of the Caldean, Arabick, and Syriack; but I think a plain Pica, or a good Italick, fitter for my Rea­ders Capacity, as well as my own; and why should I trouble his Brains with what I do not understand my self? Verbum Sapienti. Lest then I should be thought more Affected than Learned, more Elegant than Pertinent, I submit to thy Censure, and conclude with my Translator,

Brevis esse laboro, obscurus sio.

OVID's EPISTLES
SAPHO to PHAON.

The ARGUMENT

The Poetess Sapho being forsaken by her Lover Phaon (who was gone from Lesbos to Sicily) and resolved in Despair to drown her self, writes this Letter to him be­fore she dies.

WHile Phaon to the Hot-house hies,
With no less Fire poor Sapho fries.
I burn, I burn with Nodes and Poxes,
Like Fields of Corn with brand-tail'd Foxes▪
My Bag-pipes can no longer please,
Nor can I get one Minutes ease;
Grunting all day I sit alone,
And all my old dear Cronies shun.
The Lesbian Sparks must claim no part.
Where thou hast stung me to the heart.
Ah wretch! how couldst thou be so cruel,
In my hot bloud to raise a fuel!
[Page 2] When Youth and Beauty bid you stay,
Then play the Rogue, and run away?
If nought oblige but equal pelf,
Go, keep your Favours to your self.
Yet, silly as I am, I knew
The time, (which I shall ever rue;)
A time for all your mighty looks,
When I was something in your Books:
A thousand Tales of fustion-stuff;
For I remember well enough
How close about my Neck you hung,
When I began a Bawdy Song.
You thought me chief amongst the Misses,
And often stopt my Mouth with Kisses,
Whose melting touch my Heart did stab,
In Earnest of a coming Job.
You us'd a thousand wanton tricks,
And play'd the Devil on two sticks.
We to the business stifly stood,
And did as long as doing's good;
[Page 3] Nor cou'd we for our Lives give o're▪
'Till we were fit to do more.
Beware Sicilian Wenches; he
Will coaks you all as well as me.
If you'l take notice of his Shams,
He'l tell you a thousand lying Flams:
'Tis such another flattering Villian,
He'l cheat you all, were you a million.
My Hair hangs down about my Knees,
And falls as fast as Leaves from Trees.
Of all ill Luck I am the Pattern;
You'd swear I'm grown a very Slattern.
For whom shou'd I go fine and gawdy?
Why without him I am no Body;
And I ne'er lov'd to trick or trim
My self for any one but him.
Oh! if I cou'd but once more see
That subtle piece of Letchery;
'Tis not thy Love I ask, not thine,
So thou wilt but accept of mine:
[Page 4] But to sneak off when none did hold thee
Without Farewel, I needs must scold thee.
You might have said, you ill-bred Bumkin,
God b'w'ye, kiss my Arse, or something:
You might have ta'n your Leave at least,
And not have gone off like a Beast:
For hadst thou but the least word spoken,
I had gi'n thee something for a Token;
Tho' naught behind was left by thee,
But Shankers, Shame, and Infamy.
My Friends can witness what a quarter
And din I made at thy Departure.
When of thy Baseness I was told,
I was ready e'en to die with cold;
Speechless, one word I cou'd not utter,
Only what in my Cups I mutter:
And tho' they brought good store of Ale-in,
I could not speak one word for railing.
At last, my Passion finding Vent,
In a Distraction out I went,
[Page 5] And like a Bedlam run about
The Streets, in hope to smell thee out.
Exposing all I had to see,
E'en all that Iove had sent to me;
Without Respect to Modestie,
Forgetting Shame, and all but thee;
So ill does Shame and Love agree.
For thee alone my Rest I want;
I cannot sleep for dreaming on't:
Which made the Night more welcome to me
Than any Day since you went from me.
Yet little did I dream you went:
For who'd dream of a Parliament?
Or who wou'd leave me here a Widow,
To feed my Fancy with your Shadow?
Yet spight of Absence, I make shift
To help my self at a dead Lift.
Wrapt in thy Arms the stroaks I number,
And do enjoy thee in a slumber.
[Page 6] Thy Words I hear, thy Kisses feel,
With all the Joyes I blush to tell.
But when I wake, and miss thee there,
How I begin to curse and swear!
Then to divert my present pain,
Take t'other Nap, and to't again.
Soon as I rese mad as a Hawk
To see my self so plaguy bawk't,
I run to Bawdy-house and Stoves,
The Scenes of our unhappy Loves.
Then like a drunken Bitch I ramble,
And rail alone at every Shamble.
Then do I cast my Eyes about
Upon the little Bawdy Vault,
Whose mossie floor, and roof of stone,
Pleas'd better than a Bed of Down.
But when I spy'd the grassie Bed
Retains the print our Bodies made,
On thy dear side I squat me down,
And with a Flood the place I drown.
[Page 7] For to refresh the wither'd Trees,
Since thou art gone, with Virgin-Lees.
No Birds frequent the Valleys now,
But the vile Screetch-Owl, or the Crow;
Who onely mourn for scarcity
Of Carrion, as I long for thee.
Oh, Phaon, didst thou know my pain,
Thou wou'd thou woud'st come back again,
With with Disease I got from you,
My Eyes have got the Running too:
My constant Tears the Paper stain;
My hand can scarce direct my Pen.
Or cou'dst thou see a little further,
How I my self intend to murther:
Didst thou but spy the fatal Loop,
Sure thou wou'd strive to cut the Rope.
Peace, Sapho, cease thy idle gabble;
Thou may'st as well appease the Rabble:
Thou may (since thou art left behind)
As well go piss against the wind.
[Page 8] Cease, Fool, and since thou art forsook,
What you have lost you may go look.
No more thy hopeless Love attend,
But hang thy self, and there's an end.

CONACE to MACAREUS.

The ARGUMENT.

Macareus and Conace Daughter and Son to Aeolus God of the Winds, lov'd each other incestuously. Conace was delivered of a Son, and committed him to her Nurse to be secretly conveyed away. The Infant crying out, by that Means was discovered to Aeolus, who inraged at the Wick­edness of his Children, commanded the Babe to be exposed to wild Beasts on the Mountains; and withal, sent a Sword to Conace with this Message, That her Crimes would instruct her how to use it. With this Sword she slew her self: but before she dyed, she writ the following Letter to her Brother Macarcus, who had taken Sanctuary in the Temple of Apollo.

IF menstruous Bloud can make a spot,
Imagine I am gone to pot.
One hand employs my Pen, alas!
With t'other hand I scrath my A—
In that same posture now I write,
Just as my Father us'd to sh—
Wou'd he were present with his Nose,
T'extract the Essence of my close;
[Page 10] That he might see while I am feigning
To die, what Mouths I make with straining.
Iove made him sure a farting Elf,
His Daughters are so like himself.
The North and South, and all their Blunder,
Are far beneath my posterns Thunder.
Those he can rule; but his lewd mind
Is like his huffing, unconfin'd.
Oh! to what end am I created
A Fool, to Iove to be related?
Or what avails his godly Pelf,
When I am like to hang my self?
We yoak'd in an unlucky hour,
When you your Sister did deflour▪
And tho in you was no Remissness,
We were too hot upon the Bus'ness.
Why shoud'st in Blood raise such a Blister,
To make a Miss of thy own Sister?
And why shou'd I prove such another
Fondling, to love thee more than Brother?
[Page 11] For I lov'd too, and in thy Kisses
I found a Bait that never misses.
My Cheeks grew pale, and by my Strictness
I got a fit of the Green-sickness.
With longing Thoughts I grew so lean,
I lost my Colour quite and clean.
My Strength I lost, and lost my Blood;
My Meat and Drink did me no good.
I cou'd not speak without a Tongue:
My Slumbers short, my Nights were long;
Yet knew no Cause, nor cou'd I shew
A Reason for't, and yet I knew.
My wicked Nurse that knew the Trade,
An old experienc'd bawdy Jade,
Well practis'd in the Art of Wooing,
Found I was willing to be doing.
'Tis Love▪ said she, and he is as stiff;
Which made me blush like any Mastiff.
At last the naked Truth she made me
Confess; my very looks betray'd me.
[Page 12] At length we stumble on the shelves;
And what we did, we know our selves.
When half denying half contented,
We met in full, and full conented;
Then what with Joy, and what with that
Of guilt, my heart went pitty-pat.
My Roguery cou'd not be hid
When I began to be with Kid.
What Slaps and Syrrups Nurse did vary,
To make the Bantling to miscarry!
All to no purpose, for you know
No Carrion yet cou'd kill a Crow.
The sturdy Brat, young Hans en Keldar.
'Gainst all our Drugs his Lungs did shelter.
Nine months were past with Pangs & Tumblings▪
When I complain of horrid Grumblings;
To that unhappy State I come,
Pain urg'd my Cries, Fear kept me dumb.
What plaguy Do they had t'unwhelp me?
And Mother Midnight cou'd not help me.
[Page 13] When thou, th'occasion of the Fault,
Come in as ragged as a Colt,
Cry'd, Courage, Wench, holding my Back,
My own dear Sister, and my Crack:
That very Word brought forth the Wonder,
And made my Haunches fall asunder.
This Storm is o'er; but what is't, Brother,
While the old Huff can raise another?
At Council-board rock't in a Cradle,
The King lay with his blundering Rabble,
And through this hole, as Nick wou'd have it,
The child must pass, or he wou'd slave it.
The Nurse to save his pretty Grace,
Put on a zealous brazen face;
With Beads and Prayers she feign'd to mutter,
As if her Mouth cou'd not melt Butter.
In Double-clout wrapt in her lap,
She through the Room thought to escape:
But Pox on all ill Luck, the Whore
Had hardly got him to the Door,
[Page 14] When strait the Puppy fell a yelping,
What Bitch of mine has been a whelping?
Quoth he; and so he fell a plundering
The Placket-geer like Light and Thundering.
But when he found it was my Bastard,
Defend me! how he storm'd and bluster'd?
As in his old fit of the Scurvy
He'd blow the Nation topsie-turvy:
He kept such horrid noise and thumping,
I knew his meaning by his mumping.
Never was Sculler in such pickle,
When Winds hold forth in Conventicle,
Then I, when he began to thunder me,
My very Bed did tremble under me,
He'd murder me for your deflouring;
I had much ado to scape a scouring.
But what went nearest to my Gizard,
In spite of Prayers, the blundering Wizard,
To shew his Malice by and large,
And save the Parish of a Charge,
[Page 15] He sends the Bastard to the Bogs,
To be a Breakfast for the Dogs.
To have our Bowels tore, and rent
At such a rate, wou'd vex a Saint.
Nay more than that, he sent a Bully
To catechize me for my Folly:
Take this, much good may't do your heart.
A Rope, said I? and here's a Fart.
To hang I am not such a Mawking.
Your Father sent it for a Token.
I know my Fathers tricks of old.
Your Father sent you this, and told
To th' Vse of it your Crimes assist you:
In short, 'twas 'cause your Brother kiss'd you.
My Father mought not been so rough:
I smoke the business well enough.
Well, tell him I'll obey his pleasure
Some time when I am more at leisure.
And is this all my Nuptial Dowry?
In troth a very pretty story.
[Page 16] Burn me alive if I'd not rather
Be torn by Furies than my Father.
I wish my Sister better luck,
Warn'd by my Sample how to truck.
Poor Monky! 'twas no Fault of thine;
It was thy Daddy's Sin, and mine.
In a curst hour thou did assail us,
Dragg'd from the Cradle to the Gallows;
Where for my Fault they did berave thee,
Nor was it in my Power to save thee.
We did the Mischief, thou must bang for't;
I'll follow after, though I hang for't.
And thou, my Comfort and Despair,
Be sure thou bury us with Care:
To drop a Tear if thou'rt so civil,
Think for whose sake I'm gone to th' Devil.
And keep my Will be sure the rather,
'Cause I in this obey'd my Father.

PHILLIS to DEMOPHOON▪

The ARGUMENT.

Demophon, who was Son to Theseus and Phaedra, in re­turning from the Trojan War into his own Country, was by a Tempest driven upon the Coasts of Thrace, where Phillis, who was the Queen of Thrace, entertain'd him, and married him. When he had stayed with her some time, he heard that Menestheus was dead; who after he had conquered Theseus, had usurpt the Government of Athens: and under Pretence of setling his own Affairs, he went to Athens, and promised the Queen that he would come back again in a Moneth. When he had been gone four Moneths, and that she had heard no News of him, she writes him this Letter.

I Did not think you such a Dunstable,
That you shou'd thus outrun the Constable,
And stay so long from your own Phillis,
As true a Wench as e're was Willis.
I gave you a Month, and thought 'twas well:
But give an Inch, you'll take an Ell.
Thrice did the Moon her horns renew;
As many a time I gave 'em you.
[Page 18] Did you the Hours and Minutes tell,
As Phillis does, and lov'd so well,
You'd think 'twere time you shou'd be throng­ing
To satisfie a Womans Longing.
With all the pleasure that is in it,
I did expect you every Minute:
And still I hoped for the better;
But there's no trusting mortal Creature.
A thousand bloody Oaths I swore,
I saw thy Sculler make to shore;
And all your Friends that stopt your Sail,
I curst 'em to the Pit of Hell.
Sometimes I fear'd some old Curmudgeon
O'th' Deep had gulpt thee for a Gudgeon;
And beg'd of Iove to let thee snort,
Tho I was ne're the better for't.
I clapt my hand upon my Bum,
And every blast I cry'd, he's come.
Nay still I found some new pretences
To cry thee up amongst the Wenches:
[Page 19] And yet you stand upon Resistance,
And keep a Body at such Distance,
As if I were not worth the Longs
To touch me with a pair of Tongs.
I priz'd your Promise, like a Fool;
But 'twas great Cry and little Wool.
What have I done? I was a Beast
To be so fond of such a Guest,
Pox take all Fondlings: I can tell
The cause, I lov'd you but too well.
What signifies your flattering words?
Where are your Gods? not worth two turds.
Where's Hymen too, that old Match-monger?
I can't forbear him any longer.
You swore by all that's good and right▪
By Bell, by Book, and Candle-light,
You'd never leave me while you staid;
Then hang an arse, and p [...]y the Jade.
You swore by all the Gods that be,
(But what have they to do with thee?)
[Page 20] By Iuno, Venus, ne'er to budge,
Till Death depart, from your old Drudge.
And what more than thy parting griev'd me,
I like a silly Jade believ'd thee.
Who'd think thee such a damn'd Dissembler?
But thou art worse, a very Rambler.
When you came mumping Helm a Larbour,
To look for shelter in my Harbour,
My Charity I do not rue,
In giving thee an Alms or two:
But that it ever shou'd be said
I made thee free of Board and Bed,
A Curse attend the Carrier down
The first day brought thee to the Town,
And gave thee that unlucky cast;
I wish that day had been my last:
Then had I dy'd a Maid, and well,
Tho' for it I led Ap [...]s in Hell.
Is it for such a pickled Sturgeon,
Such 'bus'ness to deceive a Virgin?
[Page 21] You've got a Booty, march, God b'w'ye,
My Maidenhead, and much good do ye;
And all the good you got thereby,
You may e'en put it in your Eye.
When all your Friends lay strong Devices,
And get a Fame by fighting Prizes,
This for your Honour we'll intrench,
That you betray'd a silly Wench.
Of all thy Fathers acts and merits,
Which thou so naturally inherits,
Like him thou hast one good condition,
The gift of lying by commission.
He stole from Ariadne's Bed,
And she the better bargain had:
But I am shun'd by Rook and Bully,
For yielding to so mean a Cully.
Cry, Let her march off with a Pox;
We'll find a Fool to rule the fo'ks.
Yet shou'd you come again, as soon
You'll find 'em in another tune:
[Page 22] Then wou'd they say, the Cuckold, let her
Take him again, she can't do better.
But why shou'd I fish in this Puddle,
And with such Crotchets crack my Noddle?
He's gone for ever, gone to pot;
Rub'd off with what small Geer he's got.
Although he screw'd with other Pegs,
When you were last between my Legs,
How sweet upon me were you then?
You kist, and swore you'd come again.
Drown'd in a Flood we both were laid,
That very night you pist the Bed.
Cursing Misfortune, Wind, and Weather,
That part which brought us first together;
Then said, methinks I hear thee still,
I'll come, upon my Life I will.
You'l come, but when, the Devil's blind.
Can I expect you'l be so kind,
When I'm convinc'd you plaid the Wag
On meer design to give the Bag?
[Page 23] Yet I cou'd wish with all my heart
And guts thou'd make a little start.
What do I ask? Thou hast perhaps
Another Trollop by the Chops;
And has by this forgot my Name,
What Geer I am, or whence I came.
But I shall strive to blow the Embers,
And study to rub up your Members.
'Twas I thy ragged state condoling,
Preserv'd thee when thou came a stroling:
Kept thee from stinking in the Socket,
With many a Twopence lin'd thy Pocket.
I gave thee all, I gave so fast,
The Devil and all, my self at last;
My Farm in Copy-hold and Tail,
In Trust, till you began to fail:
Which was too much for any woman
To occupy without a Common:
[Page 24] Which makes me wish thee in my Warren,
For fear the Burrough shou'd grow barren.
All day I view the winds with sadness,
Ready to drown my self for madness.
In the next Pond just like a Bedlam,
Was like to throw my self down headlong.
Nay, since you use me thus so ill,
I am resolv'd to do it still.
Sometimes I think to make a proof
Of Hemlock, Ratsbane, or such stuff:
Then to revenge me on the Elder,
Wou'd stab thee through in Hans en Keldar;
Or in a Nooze of Hemp or Leather,
Surer than that brought us together,
Think decently my self to strangle,
And in that plight hang dingle-diangle.
Thy Wife, the flouts are thrown upon her,
Thus with my Life to clear my Honour:
[Page 25] There on my Tomb write this Inscription,
Who dearly lov'd to be a bitching:
Here lies poor Phillis, worth a Million,
The truest Iade to th' falsest Villain:
He was the cause of her undoing;
And thank her self for her own ruine.

HERMIONE to ORESTES.

The ARGUMENT.

Hermione, the Daughter of Menelaus and Helena, was by Tindarus her Grandfather (to whom Menelaus had com­mitted the government of his house when he went to Troy) contracted to Orestes. Her Father Menelaus not know­ing thereof, had betroth'd her to Pyrrhus the Son of A­chilles; who returning from the Trojan Wars, stole her away. Whereupon she writes to Orestes as follows.

TAke this, Orest, with commendation
From your own Buttock and Relation;
Nay more, your Wife, but that I buckl'd
T'another since, and made thee Cuckold.
All that a silly woman knew,
I strove against, but 'twould not do.
Stand off, said I, and quit my Placket,
Or my good man will brush your Jacket.
Yet did he drag me by the Breech,
Through th' gutters, like a new-lim'd Bitch.
What cou'd I suffer more of Rack,
If all Troy-Town were on my back?
[Page 27] If thou hast left one dram of kindness
For an old Friend, use no more shiness;
But like a Tyger come, my Rogue,
Save me from this Whore-mastring Dog.
What, can you turn a Tory-catcher,
And see me ravish'd by a Thatcher?
Think how my Father, that old Coxcomb,
Fell on his Rival with a Pox to 'em;
And to redeem his little Crack,
Rais'd all the Town upon his back.
Had he had not hector'd, hufft, and tore,
At such a Rate, he'd lost his Whore.
Nor need you send a Crowd to huff him,
Your self will be enough to cuff him.
Nor will you sure your self disparage;
You're mine by Bloud, as well as Marriage.
Then make all speedy preparation
To save your Wife, and your Relation.
When the old Pimp secur'd me yours,
I little dreamt of a Divorce;
[Page 28] Or e're to stretch my hams abroad
To one I hated like a Toad.
So well you tickled up my Toby,
I never cou'd endure this Looby.
Full well my Father knows, the Letcher,
What 'tis to love old Cony-catcher:
And I must do't, what e'er come after;
You know I am the Father's Daughter.
My Case is his; and Pyrrhus carries
A Thiefs look too, as well as Paris.
Let 'em all crack of Deeds and Wonders,
Of their high Birth, of Claps, and Thunders,
Of Iove and Iuno, and the rest on 'em,
Thou art as well born as the best on 'em.
And can I, having tongue to us't,
Stand by, and see my Friends abus'd?
I've one way left before my dying,
And that's to break my heart with crying.
But what does't value while helyes out?
For shou'd I cry my very Eyes out,
[Page 29] Cat after kind, I can't escape,
We're all too subject to a Rape.
I need not tell you how a Swan
Ravish'd my Granny for a man:
How Hippodame the Youth did gull her,
And drove her in an open Sculler:
Poor Tindar ravish'd by a Boy,
And afterwards sent back from Troy.
I scarce remember it, and yet
Now I think on't, I remember it.
So like the rest of my curst Kindred,
I'm kept from thee by such as hinder it.
If old Achilles had but seen,
I'll burn if ever this had been;
He wou'd not to part man and wife,
Do such a trick to save his life.
Ye Gods, what was my Accusation,
To come of such a Generation!
My Dam, that picture of ill luck,
She was as true as ever struck.
[Page 30] 'Tis a strange Race, while she was chief in't,
If there be neither Whore nor Thief in't,
Scarce had my Father turn'd his back,
To Paris she became a Crack:
As soon as e'er the Wittal left her,
Who like a Fool run madding after,
He to the Wars, she with her Cully,
While I was left without a Bully;
For that same Booby Pyrrhus, he
Had never one good look of me.
Orestes is my whole delight;
But if you'll have me, you must fight:
Pyrrhus detains me since the War 'gan,
That's all the good I got by th' bargan.
All day I sit, while Gossips chat,
As melancholy as a Cat:
Sometimes I grunt, sometimes I grumble,
And all the night I toss and tumble:
At sight of him I burst out so,
I make a Chamber-pot o'erflow:
[Page 31] And while I slabber, spit, and drivil,
I hate him as I do the Devil.
Tho' under Canopy of Diaper,
I shun him as I wou'd a Viper:
And when he gets within my Quarters,
I cry, Orest, beshrew your Garters.
That very fancy makes me do
The thing which I shou'd act with you.
Orestes, come, and make him fly fort;
I'll be thy Wench, or else I'll dye for't.

LEANDER to HERO.

The ARGUMENT.

Leander accustomed nightly to swim over the Hellespont to visit Hero (Priestess of Venus Temple) being at last hin­der'd by storms, sends her the following Epistle.

ACcept this Token from your most,
Who'd rather been himself the Post▪
Smile, Sweet, or if you win my heart,
I had as lieve you'd let a Fart.
'Twou'd be a Token of thy Kindness,
Since thy Leander's left in blindness,
And cannot see, ill chance so happens,
Thy face without a brace of Capons.
When Seas and Winds oppose my Team,
For there's no striving 'gainst the stream,
Then I betook me to my Writing;
'Twill serve you when you go a sh—ing.
Blest Paper! to what happy pass
Art thou ordain'd, to kiss her A—
[Page 33] Seven nights, with cursing wind and weather,
I have not set my Eyes together.
Tho' I can see for all their pother,
As deep in Milstone as another;
From highest Cliff, though ne'er so active,
I cou'd not spy thee with Prospective.
This cross-grain'd [...]it I had the leisure
To think upon our former Pleasure;
And like the Billows in the main Sea,
Dissolve my self in strength of fancy.
'Twas Night when I first rought the Port;
Plague on the Quean that spoil'd the sport▪
When I did tread, thy poor Leander,
The Hellespont like any Gander,
And Cynthia lookt pale and meager,
As if she envy'd us together.
My arms grew weak, when hopes t'unrig her,
With thoughts of thee put on new vigour;
And billows fly about my chops,
In a fresh storm, as thick as hops.
[Page 34] Soon in the window I espy'd
Thy Candle-snuff, this was my Guide,
When starv'd with cold the glimmering Blaze
Did make me put on heart of Grace;
And more than Sops of Honey-suckles
Did in the Flood revive my Cockles.
Then looking sharp, cag'd like a Parrot,
I spy thy Hawks-bill in the Garret.
Straight thou espies, and tho i'th' dark,
Full glad thou was to see thy Spark;
And met me half way over, rot it,
So mad you were for to be at it.
The shore I gain'd, nor did you stickle
T'accept me in that ruful pickle▪
Cloath'd me, and on my naked Dock
Unstript your self to clap your Smock,
Leaving your Bum without a Case,
Naked and bear as a Birds Arse.
What then we did, our selves know best,
Nor ought the Deed to be exprest.
[Page 35] We knew 'twas short, and thought no crime
To make the best Use of our time.
So eager were we on the Plunder,
To recollect wou'd be a wonder.
'Tis day; and now I sneakt with groans,
Like an old Dog had lost his stones.
I go away as after frightning,
But I return like Fire and Lightning.
Sestos I loath, my native Cottage,
With thee I'd rather sup Pease-pottage.
Why won't Abidos then come hither?
Since we piss in a Quill together.
We're linkt in Body, link't in Mind;
Why shou'd not then our Farms be joyn'd?
The Seas and Winds keep me aluff,
Depending on an humorous Huff:
They lose me many a Bout, and mar all
My Visits till they end the Quarrel.
When first upon the shore I lighted,
The Fishes lookt as they were frighted;
[Page 36] And gaz'd upon my brawny Haunches,
As they were scar'd out of their senses.
But now they make no wonder on me,
I am become a mighty Cronie;
And since I'm stopt by th' weather the Calves
Do miss me much, my Brother Sea-calves.
Oft have I curst the tiresome way,
But oftner far have damn'd my stay.
To sculk at home each storm that's pelting,
As if I were afraid of melting.
If Summer-blasts keep us asunder,
What shall we do in Snow and Thunder?
E'en then I will not stay much longer,
But plunge away like any Conger.
T' allay the boasting winds, I'll cuff 'em;
And if they wont asswage, I'll huff 'em.
Of my glad scape thy arms are proof,
There I confess I'm warm enough;
Or if I dye the Road along,
Then there's an end of an old Song.
[Page 37] I know the Flouds will have the grace
To waft me to the wonted place▪
Or if they don't, my amorous Carkass
Knows all the windings to your Stair-case;
Which sure in Complement you'll greet
With tail of Shift for Winding-sheet:
Yet can't with stroaking hand restore
The Part you oft reviv'd before.
If this offend you, use your Charms
To lanch me safer through the Storms:
But when you have me in your Station▪
Then let it roar, and tear the Nation.
'Twill give my stay some fair pretences
To gratifie my lewder Senses.
Till then, admit this Scrawl to blossom,
And gather Flowers in your Bosom.
Lodg'd in thy breast 'twill be some comfort,
Although it after kiss thy Bum for't.

HERO'S Answer to LEANDER.

By the same Hand.
WIth laughing when I read your Prose,
I was ready to bepifs my hose:
And nothing else, except your stick
Cou'd so much tickle me to th' Quick.
Excuse my Passion (Sir) for no man
Can find the bottom of a Woman.
You can divert your self with roaring,
About your bus'ness, drinking, whoring,
Hunting and hawking, and the same;
For well I know you love the Game:
Lay Traps to catch the Fox and Goose,
While you forget your amorous Nooze.
While I've no more to ease my Clog
Than Patience, med'cine for a Dog;
[Page 39] Or with my Nurse sit down complaining on't,
To know what plague should be the meaning
About the Coasts I keep a racket,
And send to thee by every Pacquet.
When Night draws on, I keep me waken,
And light a Candle for a Beacon;
Advance the Snuff upon the Save-all,
Each hour expecting thy Arrival.
Then poring o'er my work, I wonder,
What plague's become of my Leander?
I'm so besotted with thy fails,
That I can think of nothing else.
What thinks thou, Wench, is my Leander
Return'd as yet, or is he yonder?
Come pray thee tell me, is he stripping,
Already plung'd, and forward tripping?
While sleepy as a Dog, and nodding,
The drowsie wretch replies a Pudding.
[Page 40] Yet can't I from thy fancy waver
He's come, he's coming now or never.
Then Jayl-bird-like in Grate I'm plac't,
And many a longing look I cast:
Each nook and corner I examine,
And pray the Flouds that they may damn him
When next he crost them, for his wronging
And bawking thus a womans longing.
Each voice I hear: if Nurse but sneezes,
Or break behind in gentle Breezes,
I strait conclude the wind is western,
And 'tis the musick of the Postern.
At last, my comfort, while I snort,
I fancy we are at the sport;
I clasp'd my shanks about your middle,
And thought you plaid upon my Fiddle,
My Fountain burst into a stream,
But Pox upon't, 'twas but a Dream;
[Page 41] For though I think on nought but you,
Without your self 'twill never do:
'Tis like a Banquet of Black-puddin
Without a dram of fat or bloud in.
Last night indeed you'd some pretences
To keep you back, besides your Wenches;
The Seas were rough: but now 'tis fair,
You might afford to take the Air.
You need not, finding no resistance,
Keep a poor Devil at such distance,
And hold that cheerful Cup of Mantling
From her that longs like one with Bantling.
Is it for fear you shift and shuffle?
I knew you in a harder scuffle:
If it be so, still be a stranger,
Rather than hazard any danger.
But still I beg, if ought befell,
Keep counsel, do not kiss and tell.
[Page 42] Not of thy Change there's any rumour,
But that it is my simple humour.
For since I see your base Contrival,
I fear not absence, but a Rival.
Return ye Flouds that hither blew him,
And let him come, with a murrin to him.
A luckie sign! I see a Gander
Ith' Candle; oh! 'tis my Leander.
My Nurses tail has got a Drum in,
And swears 'tis token of your coming▪
And has observed by the Crickets▪
Some Strangers making to'ards our Thickets.
Come then, Leander, cross the Ditch,
That I may say she is a Witch:
I cannot budge without thee; come,
No Pillow like Leander's Bum.
To shew I'm willing, I will meet thee
Chin-deep i'th' Hellespont to greet thee.
[Page 43] My Thing's my own; while no one sees,
Sure I may use it as I please.
A Pox of Fame and Reputation,
Why shou'd it spoil our Recreation?
How cou'dst thou from our warmer Pillows
Thy Hero leave, to hug the Billows?
In such a storm to cross the Road,
Tarpolling durst not peep abroad?
For all your boasting and bravadoes,
You must not think for to invade us;
Nor must you strive to swim, when Oars
And Scullers dare not cross the shores.
I oft advis'd you, but 'twas non-sence,
For it went e'en against my Conscience;
Yet when I think on't, in the morning
I cannot chuse but give thee warning.
Nor wou'd I have thee cross the stream
By any means, for last nights Dream:
Methoughts I saw a monstrous Sturgeon,
All batter'd, crying for a Surgeon,
[Page 44] All naked too, cast by the flood,
Which I'm afraid portends no good.
What e're it be, I wou'd advise thee
Be merry and wise, let that suffice thee.
The storm's so high, it can't be lasting;
Then once more veuture a Bumbasting.
Till then, thy Hero's fate condole,
And stay thy stomach with this Scrole.

LAODAMIA to PROTESILAUS.

The ARGUMENT.

Protesilaus lying wind-bound at Aulis in the Grecian Fleet designed for the Trojan War, his Wife Laodamia sends this following Epistle to him.

AFter my hearty Commendation,
Thy Laodam sends Gratulation.
The scolding storms that scar'd thee from me,
Why don't they send thee packing to me?
Wou'd Hurricanes destroy'd their Hutches,
So I but had thee in my Clutches.
In hast thou throng'd to be a Warrier,
But thou't return with Long the Carrier.
So raging mad I was to see thee,
I cou'd not frame to say, God b'w'ye.
A merry gale in stern abaft her,
And oft I cry'd, Fair weather after.
[Page 46] I lookt and lookt, till by this Light,
I lookt, and lookt thee out of sight.
Then did such fits o'th' sudden hold me,
That I was ready to befoul me.
My Sire and Dam griev'd at the Mischance,
Came running all to my assistance;
With water and some Rags they threw,
They made me clean with much ado.
They meant it well, but had been kinder,
To leave me here to the Gold-finder.
My Bowels grumble, down I sit,
And fall into another fit;
Since which, undrest, my Coats do flow
About my Ears, I know not how.
Thus I run staggering round about,
Like one of Pem—drunken Rout.
Put on, put on, your Gown and Mantue,
My Neighbours cry, the Gossips want you.
Alas! you may go dress, talk bawdy,
What joy have I in going gawdy?
[Page 47] Shall Tow'rs and Knots my head environ,
And he have nothing but cold Iron?
I'le cast my Snout o're my right shoulder,
And be a Slut while you're a Souldier.
Paris, I wish thee ne'er a Rag,
Or that thy Nell had been a Hag.
Oh Menelaus! I see clearly,
Thy Wenches Tricks will cost thee dearly.
From me, ye Gods, divert the Thunder,
And send him laden home with plunder.
But when you talk of Wars, you stale me;
My very heart begins to fail me.
Hector I fear, that blundering Hector,
Of Limbs they say, a great Dissector,
My dear, if thou observe me duly,
Beware of that notorious Bully;
Nay all, to be thy Life's Protector,
Lest every one shou'd prove a Hector.
Give to those mighty men of Arms way,
And keep thy Coxcomb out of harms-way.
[Page 48] Let the fond Cuckold hew and thump it
Through all the Crowd, to his old Strumpet.
They are another sort of Cattel;
But we shou'd fight a safer Battel.
Brave Trojans, spare your bloudy Hanger,
From one that is not worth your anger.
My poor good-natur'd Fool in place
Of Danger dare not shew his Face.
I'th' field he stands aloof, and blunders;
But in the Sheets he can do wonders.
Let them go fight, and find a Tomb
Abroad, can do no grace at home.
To let thee go, by what the Wizard
Inform'd me, went against my gizard:
When you were like (I heard her mumble)
To crack your Crupper with a stumble.
Be not too forward in your anger,
Or you may chance to rue the Danger.
The first that lands upon the spot,
You know is destin'd to the pot.
[Page 49] Be not too hasty in the heap,
But learn to look before you leap.
To get a broken Pate or so,
You'l be too soon, tho' ne'er so slow.
In thy retreat bestir thy thighs;
And if you fall, stay not to rise.
When shall I split my hoofs asunder,
And in thy paws lye melting under?
Catch thee alone to tell me stories
Of Cocks and Bulls, and Trojan Tories;
Then make a thousand wanton pauses,
With scrubbing Gills, and rubbing Noses.
But when I think on Troy, I feel
My Spirits sunk into my heel;
And tho' the Winds were quite contrary,
No Mischiefs cou'd perswade thee tarry.
All Switch and Spur, for old Pug Nasty;
To hang you wou'd not be so hasty.
How canst thou hope to go through stitch,
To side with an Adulterous Bitch?
[Page 50] But I'll ne'er waste my Lungs upon't,
Bouze on, and see what will come on't.
Poor Trojan Cullies, troth, I pity ye,
To see a Harlot thus beshit ye:
I see how Nell intends to buckle
Up with her Groom, poor Hector truckle.
I see how she collogues, and grudg
The Simperings of her weary Drudg.
She leads the Wittal by the hand,
And he returns at her Command.
To bear the Horns he is not nice;
Obeys, and thinks he has a prize:
Now he returns, and she with speed
Receives him to polluted Bed.
We Women 'cause we cannot flatter,
Must make the best of a bad matter.
Yet still thy Picture I am woing:
Pox on't, it cost a Groat the Drawing.
That I caress, and decently
I place it there where thou shou'd be
[Page 51] I talk, and hug, and smug, and try'd all
The wayes to please the pretty Idol.
But by this Light and Candle burning,
If I hear not of thy Returning,
As this is drink, and by this Cup,
As I intend to drink it up,
To whate'er Coast thou runs a Madding,
Since thou delights to be a gadding,
I'le come and stick upon thy skirt,
As close as ever Sweat-wrung Shirt.
Farewel; but pray thee bear in mind
Thy Dowsabel thou left behind.

PARIS to HELEN.

The ARGUMENT.

Paris having Sail'd to Sparta for the obtaining of Helen, whom Venus had promised him as the reward of ad­judging the prize of Beauty to her, was nobly there entertain'd by Menelaus, Helen's Husband; but he being call'd away to Crete, to take possession of, which was left him by his Grand-father Atreus, commends his Guest to the care of his Wife. In his absence Paris Courts her, and writes to her the following Epistle.

TO thee my Duck, and pretty Sweeting,
Thy Paris sends all Health and greeting;
Tho' he (unless you be so kind)
Have for himself left none behind.
Shall I then speak? Or is't your pleasure
I stay till we have better Leasure,
When fear of Folks may not disturb us,
And we may do it to the purpose?
But if you'd needs my Pipes be draining.
And by my Mumping know my meaning;
[Page 53] In short, I love, you pretty Brat you,
And have a Months mind to be at you.
Forgive me, Nell, I am so blunt;
Our Betters have before us don't.
I must confess I'm full of grief,
And hope you'l give your Slave Relief▪
How am I tickled with conceit,
To think these Lines shall kiss your Feet?
I hope if they creep in your Favour,
You'l shew my self no worse Behaviour.
And sure those hopes can't be betray'd,
If Venus has not plaid the Jade:
She promis'd me for Service done her,
You shou'd be Mine, upon her Honour;
And for that cause I crost the Kennel,
To come here fawning like a Spaniel:
I brought my Passions here, not found 'em;
(Wou'd by the way I cou'd have drown'd 'em.)
I come but for my Due, beshrew you,
You were my own before I knew you;
[Page 54] And e're thy pretty Pigsneys I
Beheld, I had thee in my Eye.
No marvel then at such a wideness,
Your arrows thus did gall my Kidneys:
'Twas so decreed; and less you glory
In your own Bane, observe this story.
I was predestin'd for my Nelly
E're I was born, in Mother's Belly;
Who dream't she did the Baby dandle,
Deliver'd of a farthing Candle.
She scar'd, the Baggage at the Vision,
To Conjurer hyes with Expedition:
They said with Fire I Troy shou'd ruin;
But sure it must be with my woing.
For fear, they sent me to the Boggs,
To keep the Sheep, and tend the Hogs:
A proper, handsome, sturdy, tall Fool;
And well they knew I was no small Fool.
In Ida's Copse there is a Thicket,
And there we often us'd to nick it;
[Page 55] Where there was neither Cat nor Mouse,
Nor Pasture for to graze a Louse.
Leaning against a stump of Bryer,
I saw one posting through the Mire.
Such noise the very place I stood in
Shiver'd for fear, like Devon pudding.
When straight I knew by's Badg of mortar,
Old Iove had sent me his own Porter.
Led in his hand the Pimp had brought me
Three bouncing Wenches, and besought me
I shou'd decide the strife, and stop all
Their Mouths that water'd for an Apple.
He spake, and flew up in a Machin,
According to the modern fashion.
When I perceiv'd what was to do,
I grew so proud there was no ho.
I view'd them round, Each in their turn,
Naked and bald as they were born.
They each deserv'd, while I did fall
Horn-mad I cou'd not please them all.
[Page 56] But there was one, my Mouth did water
Above the rest for to be at her.
And who think you it was? I gave it
To Venus, as the Devil wou'd have it.
Nor did I do it at her own Quest,
'Twas for your sake I gave the Conquest:
Who for Reward assur'd me after,
I should enjoy your Mothers Daughter.
Mean while, I'm coopt amongst the Eagles,
And own'd as one of Priam's Beagles:
The shepherds threw their Crooks away,
And all the Court kept Holiday.
Stark mad for me run all the Wenches,
As I for thee have lost my Senses;
All the long night I melt like Jelly,
And dreamt of nothing but my Nelly.
What Doings then beneath the Cadow,
When I'm so ravish'd with your shadow?
Sure I must burn when I come nigher,
That Scorcht at such remote a Fire.
[Page 57] And now my Passion growing stronger,
I had no power to stay longer:
In spight of fortune, wind, and weather,
Father, and Friends, and all together,
I lanch out, and away I come,
To have a fillip at thy Bum.
Fortune that brought me to your shore,
Did land me in a lucky hour:
Your Husband, Good man, did contrive all
Obliging wayes to grace his Rival;
And I, to quite his Kindness, took hold
Of all swift means t'oblige the Cuckold.
Since I for thee my own dear Nell come,
Will you not also bid me welcome?
He kindly took me home, and stor'd me
With all respect he cou'd affor'd me;
Show'd me the Town, the Spartan Sages,
The Puppets, Drolls, the Stews and Stages:
But nothing pleas'd my Eye or Belly,
But the enjoyment of my Nelly.
[Page 58] The sight of thee reviv'd my heart;
The rest I valu'd not a fart.
Such are thy Charms, did thou but send
When the three Blousses did contend,
Thou out of joynt had put her Nose,
I shou'd a Shit in Venus hose.
Thou shou'd have got the golden Ball
For thy sweet sake I'de bawkt 'em all.
Thy beauty bears away the Bell,
And all the Parish rings of Nell.
It made indeed a grievous Clutter,
And does exceed what Fame did utter.
Thou art so pretty, neat, and dapper,
I cannot blame the old Kidnapper;
Make choice of thee above a Dutches,
And 'gross thee wholly in his Clutches.
But simply then to let you go!
For shame I wou'd not serve thee so,
Nor shou'd thou scape my Claws, 'tis I
Had got one Touch at G'ammar hi.
[Page 59] Come then, my wench, and I will show
What mighty Wonders I can do:
Let us, since thou hast got my heart,
Joyn Giblets once, and never part.
I might have had a Crown and Scepter
From Iuno, if I wou'd a leapt her.
I might have done with Pallas too,
But I refus'd 'em all for you.
Nor am I such a slippery Eel,
To rue my choice; I'm true as Steel.
Do thou bear up as true to me,
As I 'bove all do value thee.
Nor need you, tho' you are allow'd
A little handsom, be so proud:
I am, for all your pretty pelf,
As well descended as your self.
My Father has been twice Church-warden,
And has as large a house and Garden:
There you shall see the antient Riddles
How Troy was built with Harps and Fiddles:
[Page 60] The stately Courts and houses grow
With yellow Roofs of Golden straw:
Wagons and Carts, and spacious Pallets,
And crowds of People singing Ballats:
Whole troops of Dames in Trojan shape,
And Wenches shining in their Crape;
Which you'l prefer before the shabby
And tawdry vest of Spartan Tabby;
And must confess one Crate will tillage
More furrows there than all your Village.
I do not flant you with miscarriage,
Or that I would your house disparage:
But you that shou'd be deckt at least
With all the splendor of the East,
Shou'd not sit ragged, and condole
A way your dayes in a blind hole.
That face shou'd be adorn'd, my Girl,
To make folk gaze, with paint and pearl.
See by my Trojan Livery,
What tearing sparks the Ladies be.
[Page 61] Disdain not then, my pretty Jade,
To take a Trojan to your Bed.
Iove, that thinks scorn to be a Sutler,
Yet took a Trojan for his Butler:
And fair Aurora to her Lodging
Did hardly blush to take a Trojan:
And Venus put on all Disguises
To make a Cully of Anchises;
Nor rank't with him, your Husband can
Be thought the better Gentleman.
My Sire ne'er caus'd the Wain to stay,
And rob the Horses of their Hay:
My Race are of no Newgate-order,
Tainted with Felony or Murder:
Nor were they tantaliz'd in Fables,
Or whipt for stealing Plumbs and Apples.
To grace your Husband, you must flatter
Your Kindred Iove to mend the matter.
[Page 62] Ye Gods, that such a small-beer Trooper,
Not worthy scarce to kiss thy Crupper,
Shou'd hug, and lug, and coaks, and flatter,
And thy poor Paris mouth make water?
What shall I do? still tongue and smack,
And I ne'er come in for a snack?
When you the Bantling chuck, I take
And hug the Brat for th' Mothers sake.
Sometimes I take the Pot to piss,
And from my Bawble blow a kiss.
Sometimes I try to Bribe your Woman:
She tells me I'm a sot, and no man.
If I cannot your favour won,
I wish by any means 't were done,
By foul or fair, 'tis all as one.
Then in a Prayer as I begun,
I throw me at your feet along—
Oh thou more bright and glittering Peacock,
Than both thy Brothers in a Hay-cock!
[Page 63] And fitter far for the Aboads
Of Trojan Dukes and Pagan Gods:
Either to Troy with thee I'll budge,
Or here I'll dye thy mortal Drudge.
I cou'd say more, but 'twill be better
When we are both alone together.
Perhaps you will pretend, and scorns
To make your Ninny wear the horns.
Oh Nelly, can you be so simple
To think your Face without a Pimple?
Or change that Face, or be more kind:
Beauty and Grace are seldom joyn'd.
If thou thy Parents virtue connest,
Can Iove and Leda's Brat be honest?
Yet be as honest as you can,
At Troy, she's so that keeps to one.
But now, my Pug, Let's do a little,
Now in the absence of your Wittal.
[Page 64] He Courts you to it, who because
He'd spoil no sport, kindly withdraws.
No other time to go to Crete?
Ho'w obliging is a Cuckolds wit?
His chiefest Care above the rest,
You shou'd be civil to your Guest;
But you forget the charge was giv'n,
And value not your Slave a pin.
And think you such a senceless Lubbard,
Can prize the Treasure of your Cup-board?
Sure did he understand the Danger,
He ne're wou'd trust you with a stranger.
If neither I can move, nor he,
We 'are forc't by opportunity:
Nay, greater Fools than he, to bridle
Our Geer, and such a time be idle!
You lie alone, and so do I;
Let's make one Bed, and so comply.
[Page 65] If you shou'd on nice scruples reckon,
I'll find a way to save your Bacon.
No president so like your Mothers,
That old Thief Theseus, and your Brothers.
Theseus stole you, and they stole Mally:
I'll be the fourth upon the Tally.
I have a Boat well mann'd and oar'd,
Able to take us both aboard.
Fear not a clamour will ensue
I've Asses, Men, and Clubs enough;
And I can (shou'd the Fool be rough)
Deal with your Husband well enough.
When but a Boy, I did so warble
A Jackanapes that stole my Marble.
Deiphob, and Ilion in my wrath,
With my own fist I cuft 'em both;
Besides all this, I have a Hector,
Will read his Coxcomb such a Lecture,
That I am sure no force can harm me
Nor you; he is himself an Army.
[Page 66] Nay wench, you don't yet know me fully,
Who am predestin'd for your Bully.
Either from Greece no War shall follow,
Or if it does, thy Foes I'll swallow.
Nor think I'de basely lose my Forage,
That prize would give the Coward Courage:
Our Fire and Flame shall be inroll'd,
When you and I Pox all the World.
To Bed to Bed; and for the thing,
You'l find as good as you shall bring.

HELEN to PARIS.

The ARGUMENT.

Helen having received the fore-going Epistle from Paris, returns the following Answer. Wherein she seems at first to chide him for his presumption in writing, as he had done, which cou'd only proceed from his low opinion of her virtue. Then owns her self to be sen­sible of the Passion which he had expressed for her, tho' she much suspect his Constancy, and at last dis­covers her inclinations to be favourable to him. The whole Letter shewing the Extream Artifice of Woman-kind.

WHen Courtship grows impertinent,
you fancy Silence gives consent.
With such Designs how dare a stranger
Hope in our Park to be a Ranger?
When you came hither helter skelter,
Was it for this we gave you shelter?
You study'd to reward us finely
In troth we us'd you but too kindly;
[Page 68]Your partial will, since you came Starbor us,
May fancy I'm unchaste and barbarous;
But I defie 'em for my Tail
That e're cou'd say black is my nayl.
No Coxcomb yet has had the Knack on't,
Nor shall I give 'em cause to crack on't.
How cou'd you have the Impudence
To hope a Queen shou'd be your Wench?
Because a Royster once, forsooth,
Thought me a Dish for his own Tooth,
Do 'ye think I'm meat for such a whorson?
Marry come up, my Dirty Cousin;
Like him a Princess to bestride,
Is't nothing else but up and ride?
But that was only for a Spurt
And I was more afraid than hurt.
He was a kind good natur'd Devil,
I doubt you'd hardly be so civil.
And do you think I scap't his force
For to become your stalking horse?
[Page 69] Nor was't for want of good will neither
That I cou'd keep my Legs together.
For I cou'd do with all my heart
With one that cou'd perform his part.
But that I fear thou 'rt such a sloven,
When thou art in to fire the Oven;
And leave me glowing in that pickle,
You Trojan Fops are all so fickle.
Yet others Do the very Best on 'em,
Why shou'd not I as well as th' rest on 'em?
Leda was ravisht by a Swan,
And why shou'd Helen fear a Man?
But she had Iove whereof to glory,
And what have I? a Trojan Tory?
For all your boasting and your cracking
Of Phrygian Blood, you may be packing.
Your Letter stuft with all the shams
That canting Gossips call flim flams,
Cou'd she but with your boasting buckle,
Wou'd make a very Queen to truckle.
[Page 70] But if I either whore or pilf,
For any thing, it is your self.
I'm none of those ill-natur'd Bitches,
Sweeten a Coxcomb for his Riches.
But if I follow your Worships Highness,
It shall be meer stark Love and Kindness.
Not that thy presents are a Clog,
For, Love my self, and love my Dog.
But that for me so kind thou'st bin
To dabble here through thick and thin.
I have observ'd (tho' I can too
Dissemble it as well as you)
How you'd turn up your goggle Eyes,
And play a thousand amorous toyes;
Take after me the Pot and Bason,
Nor would you slip the least occasion.
For thy fond tricks I bore the blame on 'em
And many a time I blusht for shame on 'em.
I found thee willing by thy woing,
To do, what not? to be a doing.
[Page 71] Quoth I, I fancy this Fop-Doodle
Wou'd fain be dabling in my puddle.
Come Nelly, come, you'l serve the turn,
To cool my Pipes, I burn, I burn:
While I that kept thee from my placket,
My self was madder to be at it.
But oh! Thy face was so bewitching
I cou'd not choose but have an itching;
And though it were in Hall or Kitchin
Full dear I long'd to be a Bitching—
Of some young Rump I wish thy Maw full,
That thou may'st pray on Food that's lawful.
Tho' I am young enough, and pert too,
You must not think to tempt a Virtue.
You ask what's sought by all Mankind,
As you have Eyes, they are not blind:
Circumfering Eyes make me their Center,
But you upon the Spot dare venture.
Had you been here before the Royster,
You'd had the opening of the Oyster.
[Page 72] But now too late, I've one to do't,
And you may kiss the Rabits foot;
You shou'd have far'd before this Sot,
Yet I'm contented with my Lot.
Cease then to force a Womans shiness,
And do not wish me so much kindness.
You think, forsooth, it is my Duty,
Since the three Misses strove for Beauty:
One offer'd keys, another Locks,
And Venus, promis'd with a Pox,
For a Reward the rest beguiling,
You shou'd of me have the defiling.
But thus to gratifie your pains
Can never beat into my Brains,
That such nice Dames shou'd for a Ball
Uncase their scutts, and shew you all,
Then send to me to scowr your Rammer;
Don't think me such an Innyhammer.
But grant it were, it is not such
A Booty, though you got a touch:
[Page 73] I should be prouder of my Looks
To be in yours and Venus Books.
Iuno and Pallas gave a Fee,
And you refus'd 'em all for me.
Am I then such a Dainty Bit?
What heart of Rock but must submit?
Whate're you hear the Rabble say,
Dissemble still, yet mind your prey,
But to forbear's the better way;
Yet if you will be bold, you may.
But pray be private as you can,
For fear it come to my good man.
He's gon to see my Nuncle, speed 'em,
And kindly left us to our freedom.
His Journey's long, and longer may
With all my Intralls be his stay.
I can't but tickle at his sence
To leave it to my negligence;
[Page 74] When he to me did recommend
All things, but most his Trojan Friend;
I split my sides, and onely said
My Dear, well you shall be Obey'd.
Fair Winds have blown him to a Far land:
What pains he takes to wear the Garland?
He's gon, yet still I have some fears,
You know small Pitchers have long Ears.
You bid me use my Time and Tool
Left me by the good easie Fool.
I wou'd—and yet I doubt—pox split it,
'Twixt hope and fear I have be sh—it.
We're both hot set; my Husband's gone;
I can't endure to lye alone.
One Room, and nothing but a Wattle
Divides between us and the Cattel.
Hang me but every thing's so lucky,
As if the Doe did cry, come Buck me.
[Page 75] You banter when you shou'd be pressing,
By force to ravish such a Blessing.
Our Sex still ready to receive,
And can take more than you can give.
I'de fain be Doing—yet 'twere best 'een
Give over, and leave off our jesting.
'Tis bad to trust our Geer with Strangers,
Whose Passions like themselves are Rangers.
And how dare I trust you my goods,
Who left Oenone in the suds?
Were you in Earnest, yet you stay
But for a Cast, and then away,
And sculk from Table to your Scull,
Before I've half my Belly full.
But 'cause I'm expert at the sport,
You'l keep m'a Miss in Priam's Court;
Then of my Fame you'l blow the Trumpet,
And tell the World I am your Strumpet.
[Page 76] In Troy what credit shall I find,
And leave in Greece such shame behind?
When all the Town begins to stink on't,
What will the modest Ladies think ont?
You'l doubt as I left one for you,
I'll serve your self the same sawce too.
You'l be the first, your self will bang me,
I'de rather far your Grace wou'd hang me.
You promise heaps of Trojan Mountains,
But I more prize my Native Fountains.
If any of your Hectors kick me
Ith' Dirt, who have I there to lick me?
Medea was by Iason nubbled,
At such a rate I may be bubbled.
Poor silly Devils like my self,
Do often split upon that shelf.
Your teeming Dam brought forth a Link,
Which fier'd Troy, and made 'em stink:
Besides, some old prophetick Magots,
That Troy should smoke with Grecian Fagots.
[Page 77] I fear 'em both; nor is there trusting
To Venus in our Aid to thrust in.
They'l be reveng'd: the roring Lyon,
Rob'd of his prey, with Death will fly on▪
So great a wrong his Rage wou'd rouze,
And all my Friends his Cause espouse.
You boast of Courage, but alas,
There's little sign on't in your Face,
To turn it on thy swift pursuers:
Great Talkers are the meanest Doers.
Let Souldiers tend their Trump and Rattle,
Thou'rt timber'd for a safer Battel.
And Hector mind his Siege and Sallyes,
That's good for nothing but the Gallows.
Yet why shou'd Fears my heart amuse,
Had I as much wit as a Goose?
I'm modest, yet upon the sent,
In time I may grow impudent.
You haunt my Burrow late and early,
And onely do desire a parley▪
[Page 78] This is the Substance of your chat,
But I can guess what you'd be at.
In time, upon it you may chop,
And after Seeds may bring a Crop.
This is enough, without more shiness,
To let you understand my kindness.
My Woman's trusty proof, and let her,
Who knows the Jig, inform thee Better.

PENELOPE to ULISSES.

The ARGUMENT.

The Rape of Helen, having carried all the Grecian Princes to the Siege of Troy. Ulysses, among the rest there signalliz'd his manhood and prudence particularly. But the Siege at an end, and he not returning with the other Captains, Penelope sends this Letter in Quest of him. She had render'd her self as deservedly famous on her part, by resisting all the while the importunity of her Suitors, with an unusual Constancy and Fidelity. She complains to Ulysses of their Carriage, she likewise tells him her apprehensions and fears for him during the War, and since acquaints him with the ill posture of his Family through his absence, and desires him to hasten home, as the only means to set all right again.

TO thy own Pen at length break home;
Send not, but with a vengence come.
Troy does not keep you now to guzle,
Not twenty Troys are worth that buzle.
I wish a Russian, some stout Sea-man,
Had drown'd him, bound to Lacedemon.
[Page 80] I shou'd not then have half the grumblings
Of tedious dayes, and midnight tumblings.
Nor half the pains and Labour take,
And work and weave till fingers ake.
I fear'd thy Coxcomb they did cuddle,
Which made my Spouts drop many a puddle.
The Trojans, were your Camp surrounding
At Hectors name, I fell a swouning.
When Nestor's Brat by Hector master'd,
My Ars made Buttons for the Bastard.
And how Patroclus paid for's sham,
I cou'd not chuse but curse and dam.
Tlepolem got a prick i'th Breech,
And I cou'd not forbear to scratch.
Whatever Greeks fell in the fray,
I straight fell down as dead as they.
Yet 'tis some comfort in the showring,
That thou should live to scape a scouring.
Troy's burnt, amongst the blundering Sots
My Husband's roring o're his Pots.
[Page 81] The Bonfire's blaze, the Rockets thunder,
And all our Cabbin's cram'd with Plunder.
The Women rive their Husbands wallets,
And sing Troy's Downfall in new Ballats.
For very Joy we're grown so lavish,
The Wives their very Husbands ravish.
Some spill their Cups, and draw the Fable
Of all the Siege upon the Table.
This Simois, that the Sigan Hall was,
And this was Priam's lofty Palace.
Here sculks Vlysses, there Achilles,
Here Hector, torn with Mares and Fillies,
This I was All inform'd by Nestor,
And how you gave the Foe a Glister.
Dolen nor Rhese your Sword escaping,
Banter'd the one, took th'other napping▪
Amongst the Tents thou art fool hardy,
But to remember us too tardy.
Wast thou not raving Mad to fall
O'th' Camp thy self, and kill 'em all?
[Page 82] I thought thou had more grace or wit,
To take 'em when they were at sh—
And not to run such desperate Courses,
To rob their Crates, and steal their Horses.
You Troy have raz'd out of the Margin
What good have I got by the Bargain?
To your poor Pen it's all as one,
To Dildo damn'd to do alone,
For notwithstanding all your swagger,
To me all's standing but your Dagger.
Now Nettles grow in Priam's stair cafe,
Manur'd with Dung of Trojan carcass:
Nor Court nor Cabbin, mud, nor stones,
Nor Trojan left, but sculls and Bones.
What mischief can detain thee now?
Am I not worthy then to know?
When all your Friends are homewards thronging,
To hang an Ars, and spoil my Longing.
There's not a Sculler makes a shore,
But I enquire thee 'ore and o're.
[Page 83] I call for Liquor to be nibling,
And o're the Pot I fall a scribling.
To Pylos then I sent pell-mell,
But cou'd not have one Syllable.
To Sparta too who can't devise in?
What Course thou tak'st to practice in?
Wou'd I were certain of thy Landing,
Or that those Cabbins yet were standing;
Then might we, (had you kept your Meares,)
Know where abouts you're with your Bears.
But to be no where on the spot,
I fear, I fear,—I know not what.
And do suppect at this wide Distance,
Thou'rt got amongst the wild Philistins;
Or that you have forsook your Shallop
To fall aboard some other Trallop.
And tells her what a dowdy Mawkin
I am, that thus deserves your Bawking.
Plague on this Jealous humour, rot it,
I'l never break my Brains about it.
[Page 84] Vanish vain thoughts, and shake your Crums,
He'l be with me when e're he comes.
My Father wou'd have had me truckled
To an old Fop, and made thee Cuckold.
He led me such a weary Life,
But let 'em rail, I am still thy Wife.
I wou'd not yet, thy own dear Penny
Give my Vlysses for a Guennie.
Thy Loving Pen will make 'em flee for't,
And be thy wife, or else I'll die for't.
From Crete, from Samos, Rhodes and Zants,
Drunk every day with Ale and Nants,
Such Troops of Raggamuffins come,
As eat thee out of house and home.
Medon, and Polyb, and Pesander,
And gray Eurimachus the Gander,
With thousands more defile your Towels,
And feast upon our very Bowels,
Melanch, and Irus the Bulbeggar,
Riffle, and rummage up your Leager.
[Page 85] In mine and their own Dung they wallow,
And of my Breech the Savour follow.
You're e'en but well enough rewarded,
Your house is like to be well guarded.
A feeble Gray-beard always tippling,
A helpless Wife and a young strippling;
Whom late we were like to loose the Spaniel
Half drown'd, as he but crost the Kennel.
But God forbid til't be his Cours
To lay my head as well as yours:
And may the Youth still live and thrive,
While he sees any one alive.
The Nurse, the Hogheard, and the Hind
To wish the same are all so kind,
With old Laertes my Protectors.
But what are they amongst the Hectors?
To trust Telemach, I had rather,
But he's an Urchin like the Father.
I, what am I?—'las I'm not able
To deal with such a Ribble-Rabble.
[Page 86] Come soon, or else the Devil burst you,
For you are all we have to trust to.
So may your Son grow up a Scholar,
And old Laertes cease his Choler.
I blooming, when you gave the Bag,
Am now become a wither'd Hag.

HYPSIPYLE to JASON.

The ARGUMENT.

The Desire of gaining the Golden Fleece put Jason upon a Voyage to Cholcos. In his Passage he stopt at the Island Lemnos; of which place Hypsipyle was then Queen, famed for her pious saving of her Father Thoas, in a general Massacre of the men there by the Women of that Country. Her Entertainment of Jason so kind as induced him to stay there two years, at the end of which he left the Island, and the Queen (then big with Child) and after a thousand vows of Constancy and a speedy Re­turn, persues his first intended Voyage, and arrives at Cholcos, where Aeta was king. Medea his Daugh­ter falls deeply in Love with Jason, and by her Charms be gain'd the Golden Fleece, with which and Medea he secretly sail'd home to Thessaly. Hypsipyle hearing of his Landing with her more happy Rival Medea, writes him this Epistle.

LAden they say with a stoln Cargo,
In Thessaly lyes pilfring Argo.
[Page 88] I'de send thee welcome, did I know,
From thy own Mouth that it were so.
To break the Banes you did not stickle
Against the Wind, then thee less Fickle.
If you don't think me worth your Labour,
You might have sent a Peice of Paper.
Why shou'd the Rabble crack our Sculls,
Before thy self with Tales of Bulls?
Clods fought with Clods, sprung up and slew
Each other without help of you.
Poor Thief, what have you else to brag on,
But of his Fleece you robb'd the Dragon?
Wou'd I cou'd say when Folks deny it,
Here hee's himself to justifie it.
Yet I cou'd cease my jealous grunting,
Cou'd I but say you are my Bunting.
But ah! that hope is vain! a Witch
Has got my Bunting by the Breech.—
[Page 89] Wou'd I cou'd say, (but fears bedung me)
Wou'd I cou'd say, my Dear I wrong thee.
Here came a Stroler starv'd with Hugher,
I ask'd him for my Mutton-munger;
Lives he?—or is he dead or living?
Or with what Jilt is he a wiving?
He lives, said he; I made him swear it,
He swore by Styx, yet still I fear it.
He bid me leave my idle talking,
That you the Bulls were just now yoaking;
The Serpent spawn'd a Crop of Heroes,
In native Buff, and Bandilieroes;
And by their own intestine Fury,
Off-hand did one another worry.
I ask'd again, Lives he, or no?
Or prethee tell me so or so;
He slily kept me in the dark yet,
And makes the best of a bad Market.
[Page 90] Yet cannot he for all his Blanks
But shew the Baseness of thy Pranks.
Oh! Where are all your Lies and Flattering▪
So often set my Mouth a watering?
What wind to Lemnos blew you hither?
Or why shou'd I admit you either?
Here's neither Sheep, nor Fleece of Gold,
Nor is my Lemnos a Pinfold.
At first I did design to trap thee,
And set the Women on to clap thee;
The Lemnian Girls are buxom Wenches,
And wou'd have carbona'd thy Haunches.
For two full years, e're thou wast budging,
Under my Roof I gave thee Lodging:
Then sneak away to play the Thief,
Pretending you were full of Grief.
Don't fret thy self, my Heart and Liver
I'l come again, if I come ever—
[Page 91] Then bubbles at the Snout, and maunders,
As if your Nose had got the Glaunders.
Then to the Harbour with a strong Gale,
You clear'd the Ground tag rag, and long tail.
Of all the Crew you made a Din most,
And cry'd the Devil take the hinmost.
Up to the Garret I was fled,
And cry'd my Eyes out of my Head;
Gazing as far as I cou'd see,
Till I lost them as well as thee.
Full oft I wish'd thee here a mumping,
But thou reward'st me with a thumping.
It made me mad, to think a Hag,
Shou'd give thee such a Running Nag;
Shall I clean Dishes, deck the Kitchin,
For one that loves to be a bitching?
I always fear'd your Dads Contrival
That I shou'd have a Grecian Rival.
[Page 92] But she's no Greek, ah! can you rump it,
With such a lewd Barbarian Strumpet?
Who with her spells can only flout ye,
Nor can she slave you with her Beauty.
She'l stop the Moon by Magick, infold
The Sun, and clap them in a pinfold;
She curbs the Waves, and stops the Fountains,
And from their Seat moves Woods and Mountains.
She'll scorch your very Bones within,
And make 'em rattle in your Skin;
She'l gore a Fly, a Bat, or Beetle,
At ten miles distance with her Needle:
And in a Print of moulten Butter,
Give them the Running, Gripes, and Squitter
'Tis Form and Beauty moves the Tilters,
But she secures you with her Philters.
How can you doat on such a Witch,
And hug a Syren like a Bitch?
[Page 93] You as the Bulls she yoak't ith' Wagon,
And tames you as she did the Dragon.
For all your Pride linkt to this Quean,
You'l loose your Credit quite and clean.
Nay by the censuring World 'tis babbled,
That by her spells you are inabled,
And the stol'n Fleece of corl'd Silver
Medea did not Iason pilfer.
It was not he that stole the Ram,
The Devil Iason, but his Dam.
A Northern Lass! a precious Beauty!
To Love and Parents shew more Duty.
Let some wild Ruffian thither gallop,
A fitter Match for such a Trallop.
Iason more fickle than the Weather,
Can Vows nor Oaths bring us together?
You parted mine, return so too,
Lets Do't, and make no more ado.
[Page 94] If Beauty, Birth or parts can move,
Or Breeding to oblige thy Love,
Know I am Thoas only Heiress,
The very best in all the Parish.
Oth' right side got my Mother and Sire,
And Drunken Bacchus was my Gransire.
These, and my Lemnos make a Dowry
Enough for any filching Tory.
I Mother am, be thou a Father,
And of the Gravil ease my Blather.
Your Brace of Twins, those chattering Rooks
Saving your Guilt, retain your Looks,
In all things else so like your Snout
As if your self had spit 'em out.
Those I had sent instead oth' Letter,
To plead their Cause, and mine the better.
Did I not fear Medea's Malice
Wou'd send them straightway to the Gallows;
[Page 95] Wou'd she that made a mortal hash
Of her own Brothers, spare my flesh?
Yet in your Arms this forceress Lyes,
And you conceit you have a Prize:
False Fool I blame, but do not wonder
What made the Lemnon Wenches thunder.
Suppose the Fates had us'd their Engins
To blow the hither with a Vengeance:
What Impudence cou'd thou assume
To see thy Brats and me at home?
Thus to betray thy flesh and blood?
Hang thee, nay hanging is too good.
Tho' I perhaps had spar'd thy Jacket,
I shou'd have riv'd the Witches Placket.
To her I shou'd Medea prove.
If Iove regards my injur'd Love
May that loath'd Hag my Bed defil'd
Be by her own Designs beguild.
[Page 96] And may she be for all your Fleeces,
By Dogs for Carrion torn apieces.
May her old Sire, and Brothers Murder,
Be her own Doom, so God reward her▪
And may she split upon that Shelf,
Till in Dispair she hangs her self.

PHAEDRA to HYPOLYTUS.

The ARGUMENT.

Theseus the Son of Aegeus having slain the Minotaur, pro­mised to Ariadne, the Daughter of Minos and Pasi­phae, for the Assistance of which she gave him to carry her home with him, and make her his Wife. So together with her sick Phoedra they went on board, and sail'd to Chios, where being warn'd by Bacchus he left Ariadne, and married her Sister Phoedra, who afterwards in The­seus her Husbands Absence, fell in Love weth Hypo­lytus her Son in Law, who had vowed Celibacy, and was a Hunter▪ wherefore since she cou'd conveniently otherwise; she chose by this Epistle to give him an Ac­count of her Passion.

IF thou 'rt unkind my pretty Elf,
I shall go near to hang my self.
Read this I pray, and then consider
What Gripings I have in my Blather.
Thus we by Notes confer with ease
Which serve us in our Privacies.
[Page 98] Thrice my sad Tale, e're I a word
Cou'd utter fell into a T—
I sham'd to say I was besh—
But what I blusht to speak, I writ.
'Tis dangerous to resist such Motions,
The Gods themselves do take their Potions:
They promis'd me to send thee hither,
That we might take a Doze together;
And with a Pill or a Compound,
To purge thee of the weather-bound;
Yet when I first was married, then he
Found me as neat as any penny.
But a Fice smother'd in the Skin,
When it's not out, stinks worse within.
As a young Puppy learnt to fetch,
Is pincht and lasht, and stroakt and scratcht:
So you resolve e're I be idle,
To make me bite upon the Bridle,
When Love was young the Whore bepist her,
In riper-years she took a Glister.
[Page 99] To thee I mortgage Tick and Feather,
Lets be undon▪ and bed together.
How can you spare the Fruit that grows,
And still lies bobbing at your Nose?
But now my Beauty had no match,
Shall I begin to paint and patch?
I for thy love no hazard fear,
It is no Sin unless you swear.
Shou'd Iuno give her (what de'e call it)
I'de quit her Iove for my Hypolit.
With thee I've wisht these many years,
To have a frisk amongst the Bears.
To dabble in the Bogs and Fountains,
And drive the Beagles o're the Mountains.
To get a Green-gown while I lye
O'th' Grass? Wou'd you stand pimping by?
I have a little hand Wheel-barrow,
And thick and thin I venture thorow.
[Page 100] Drunk in my Cups I stamp and stare,
Raging, and mad as a March Hare,
And make my self a very stalk-horse
Amongst the Bulkers and Night-walkers.
And whilst you are amongst your Wenches,
I find my self where the shoo pinches.
Is it a Fate 'ith Blood that Venus
With Infamy resolves to stain us?
It is a blessed Generation
When Whore and Rogue's all the Relation.
Europa long'd for a mad Bull,
And had of him her Belly full:
And to her shame I had a mother
E'en as good at it as the other.
The Filer Theseus, by my Sister,
The Monster slew, for which he kist her.
The self-same Course my self am stearing,
There's ne're a Barrel better Herring.
[Page 101] It was unlucky for us Both,
She lov'd the Father, I the youth:
Say then two Sisters are undon,
Both by the Father and the Son.
When first we met at Countrey Farm,
Wou'd I had broke a Leg or Arm.
Eleusis was the Fatal place,
I wou'd I ne're had seen that Face;
That Face so fair for all to see,
Was an unlucky one to me.
Thy Drawers, Charcole-Wife, and Wast-coat,
Became thee better than a lac'd Coat,
At pleasure to slip on and doff,
As home, and plain as a Pike-staff.
I love it best, I will not flatter,
Because it most resembles Nature.
If thou but sneeze or let a Fart,
I smile, and say 'tis done with Art;
Or see thee poise thy little Tool,
E'en any thing does please the Fool.
[Page 102] But in the Woods pursue thy freaks,
And meddle not with such a Jacques.
Must Country Trulls have all the sport,
And starve the Ladies of the Court?
For Heaven's sake Lad forbear high Toss,
Or thoul't come home by weeping Cross.
Famous was Cephalus the Kildog
For slaying many a Curr, and Mill-dog.
Yet him Eurora did bewitch,
Who left his old for a young Bitch.
Under a shade her amorous Boy,
Venus did often occupie.
Atlantas lay with Meleager,
And did together for a wager.
Between two Pools there is a Kennel
Adorn'd with Beds of Leeks and Fennel.
Thither to th' Bawdy Bank I'll come,
One Bit abroad's worth two at home.
Wee'l tumble on a Bed of Parsley,
T' our wish the Thief is gone to Thessaly:
[Page 103] There taken up with Cinder sooty,
Then thou or I a better Booty.
And there to show his further Malice
Against us Both, he huffs and rallys:
He gave my Brother's Bum a Glister,
And play'd the Rascal with my Sister.
With Ducks and Geese to find his Foxmeat,
And left her in the Woods for Hawks meat,
Amongst the Beasts where thou wast foster'd,
To rob thy Right, and make thee 'a Bastard:
And tho' I brought him more by others,
They're all his own, thy very Brothers.
Then do not stand on Terms of Duty,
Who left thee here to me a Booty.
He did it first, art thou afraid
Then to defile thy Fathers Bed?
It neither frightens me, nor shames,
Mother and Son are but meer Names
Of Fear and Duty to amaze
The Folks in old Queen Besses dayes.
[Page 104] But honest Iove full often kist her,
And made no Bones of his own Sister.
Nor matters it so near a Kin,
The nearer that the deeper in:
And all will praise us, when a Mother,
And Son's so kind to one another.
Nor wou'd we keep it in the dark yet,
Wee'l hug, and kiss i'th' open Market;
For were we catch't in naked Bed,
My Legs and Arms about thee spread,
It is but Mother and the Son,
And who can guess what we have done?
Only make haste my pretty Duck,
For I e'en long to give thee Suck.
Between my Breasts to get thee once,
I'le fall upon my Marrow-bones,
And kiss the Borders of thy Jerkin,
To please thee I will shew my Merkin.
Nor can the Fur my Youth affright,
In Love it is a decent sight:
[Page 105] For when with Action we grow bolder,
Shame flies the Field like beaten Souldier.
Forgive, I pray, this fond Confession,
And pitty, pitty my Transgression.
What tho' my Father keep a blunder,
And my old Grandsire huff and thunder,
Tho' with the richness of the Glass
The Cuckold had a ruby Face.
To love their Honour's but a Slave,
If thou'lt not me their Credit save.
All Crete I'le bring thee for a Dower,
Thou shalt have all things in my power.
For Venus sake then taste my Haggise,
And never mind a scornful Baggidge.
So may Diana raise thy Flame,
And every spot afford thee Game.
So may the little Countrey Cracks,
Fall all before thee on their Backs,
And all the Milk-maids Piggins burst
In heat of Love to quench thy Thirst.
[Page 106] Millions of Tears I joyn with Cries,
Which as thou read'st with those dear Eyes,
Think that thou seest the Floods that rise
To wish thee here between my Thighs.

DIDO to AENEAS.

The ARGUMENT.

Aeneas the Son of Venus and Anchises, having at the Destruction of Troy, saved his Gods, his Father, and Son Ascanius from the Fire, put to Sea with twenty Sail of Ships, and having been long toss'd with Tem­pests, was at last cast upon the Shoar at Lybia, where Queen Dido (flying from the Cruelty of Pigmalion her Brother, who had killed her Husband Sicheas) had lately built Carthage. She entertained Aeneas and his Fleet with great Civility, fell passionately in Love with him, and in the end denied him not the last Favours. But Mercury admonishing Aeneas to go in Search of Italy (a Kingdom promised to him by the Gods) be readily pre­pared to obey him. Dido soon perceived it, and having in vain try'd all other means to engage him to stay, at last in despair writes to him as follows.

SO in the Fallows of Menander,
The mournful Goose gaggles for Gander.
Not that I doubt a greater Mischance,
Or hope t' enjoy thee at this distance.
[Page 108] But having lost my better half,
Why should I fear to cast my Calf?
'Tis then decreed poor Dido's left
Of thee, and all thou hast bereft.
While thou designs amongst such Trumpery,
Had rather have thy Room than Company.
Nor can my kindness yet restrain you,
You seek a Whore that wou'd refrain you.
You shun your old Friend for a new one,
See what you get by playing Truant.
Suppose unto your wish you landed,
Then like a Coxcomb be disbanded;
What Cully is so void of Sense
To hope to find an honest Wench?
Yet you refuse your old Cunabling,
And in new holes love to be dabling.
When will your Trulls such pleasure show
As mine, above, or yet below?
If twenty such you chance to see,
You'l never find the like of me.
[Page 109] For oh! I burn alive, Pox rot 'em,
With those same things, as I had got 'em.
Aeneas is my daily Theam,
And all the night of him I dream.
Yet he (ungrateful) is abscond,
Fool that I was to be so fond.
My self alone can nothing do,
Which makes me oftner wish for you.
Oh! Cupid, pitty me, and make
Thy Brother kinder for my sake.
I'm raging mad to think that Venus
With such a Scoundrel shou'd bestein us;
Such an unlucky Harlots Bird,
Thou Venus Son? thou Venus T—d,
Sprung from the Droppings of a Dish-clout,
Or from the Scummings of a Piss-pot.
Drawn in a flood from her Inferiours,
She blew thee out of her Posteriors;
[Page 110] Which made a Bouncing and a Rottle,
Like windy Ale in strait-mouth'd Bottle;
A noise like that makes neighbouring Nation
Take snuff in Nose, and fall in Passion.
That rais'd the Billows with a Powder,
A Hurricane cou'd not be lowder.
Yet rather than thou shou'd be packing,
I wou'd dispence with all thy cracking.
Thou do'st deserve to hang, thy swingers
And thee, but I'le not 'file my Fingers.
By shunning me you fall in Chinks,
The more you stir, the worse it stinks.
Stay but a little, till the Tide
Be turn'd, and I am satisfi'd.
Stay only while your bloud does Flow,
And when it's out, then freely go.
Know'st thou not yet that the many dangers
In unknown Pools do happen Strangers?
[Page 111] The Fire-ships flaming in the Center,
How are you then so bold to venture?
Which, were it safe from Node or Shanker,
A thousand Mischiefs in it Anchor▪
In that Abyss the Fates have Engines
For to revenge you with a Vengeance.
There all your Main Chance often Nicks,
To pay at last for all your tricks.
Thus I thy safety do propound,
And clapt my self to keep thee sound;
False as thou art, I'de not contrive
Thy Death, to have thee rot alive.
I rather (as thou dost design)
Thou liv'd to be the cause of mine.
Shou'd thou be Poxt by any Woman.
(But Heav'n I pray forbid the Omen.)
While for Revenge my Fury cries out,
My very Ghost wou'd pull thy Eyes out.
Foaming at mouth, think how I rore,
And bait thee like a Butter-whore.
[Page 112] Shou'd Pains and Ulcers then like Thunder
Seize thee, and tear thy Soul asunder,
What cou'dst thou say in thy defence
But 'tis what I deserv'd long since?
Lest this should happen, be no Ranger,
But stay at home to shun the danger.
Think of thy Brats, if not thy Grandsire,
For me thou'lt have enough to Answer.
What have they done, that thou'lt be ganging?
Was't to be drown'd they scap'd a hanging?
But thou preserv'd not Son nor Father,
But Wind to fill an Empty Blather.
Thy Tales of Troy were all Romances,
Nor I first gull'd amongst thy Wenches.
Did you not leave among the Bogs,
Your own Creusa to the Dogs?
This Cruelty my heart did fire,
That thou shou'd deal so basely by her,
Nor do I doubt for such abuses,
(Tho' you pretend a thousand 'scuses)
[Page 113] The Fates conspir'd with Sea and Wind
To plague, and serve thee in thy kind.
Thy tatter'd Crew, those lean Rascallions,
Those lowsie starv'd Taterdemallions,
Like drown'd Rats cast ashoar, I fed,
And made thee free of Board and Bed,
To succour them at such a season,
Was kind, the rest was out of reason.
Curst be the Shower that did Pelter,
When to the Ditch we went for shelter,
The Dairy wenches and the Milk-Maids,
That little knew thy knack to bilk Maids,
When they began to tune their Pallets
I thought had sung our Wedding Ballets.
But now I find the Fury's barked,
The lamentation of bad Market.
Oh Honesty! where art thou Banisht?
Exact thy due from him that's Vanisht;
By Death redeem my Reputation,
And let my Ghost blow up the Nation.
[Page 114] Close by my Thighs, a gloomy thicket
Lies languishing for thee, my Pricket.
There reath'd with flowers longs to be at you,
Altho' it were but with your Statue.
Last night methought he scratcht my Bum,
And twice he cry'd, my Dido, come.
She comes indeed, and hears thy Summons,
But cannot brook your single Commons.
Forgive the wrongs thy Bed I offer'd,
Thou askt no sooner than 'twas proffer'd.
Thy Mother Bawd, and Sire who is Chief
Of all the Pimps, did all the Mischief.
He came of such a Noble Race,
I wish I had him by the Face.
But ill luck got me by the Scut,
And as it open'd let it shut.
My fool, my Brother slew at th' Altar,
He took his Goods, and left a Halter.
Friendless and Pennyless, with Rumping
I clear'd the ground, and went a mumping
[Page 113] To Foreign Countreys, where my Brother
Cou'd not discern me from another.
And here a Stroler from the Tenants,
I bought this spot to do my Pennance,
With all the Garden-Plats and Ditches,
To entertain thee and thy Bitches.
And rais'd these Walls by Theft and Plunder,
To all my Neighbours Fear and Wonder:
But most their Fear, for much they dread
The Roof will fall upon their head.
And now they arm with Spade and Shovel,
With Topsy-turvey to unruffle.
I must have a man to find me Mortar,
A Woman's but a weak supporter;
And yet a thousand Gulls a Drinking,
Wou'd for my sake keep all from sinking;
Who tho' they offer Sheep and Mutton
To thee, I value not a Button.
[Page 114] To Proud Hyarbas let me Sail,
(For this must be if we sell Ale)
Or to my Husbands Murd'rer leave me,
What Eye sees not, Heart cannot grieve me.
Go then fond Rustick, trace the Mildews,
But leave behind your Tools and Dildoes.
Touch not that Spot, who art not such,
Thou with a pair of Tongues should touch.
Thy bawdy Fist it more disdains
That e're it caught me by the Reins▪
Perhaps my greatest shame's to come,
Since thou lay pelting at my Bum.
My Souderkin and I (God wot)
Must both together go to Pot;
And tho' unborn, with guiltless Mother,
Resolve to dye with one another.
Some God thou say'st sent thee aground,
Wou'd I're as sure of twenty Pound,
[Page 115] Or the same God, beshrew his Garters,
Had found thee out some other Quarters.
But whether 'twas a God or Devil,
No thanks to them, you found me Civil.
Nor do I doubt but he the Calf
That put thee on, will bring thee off.
You're bound to Tiber for new Plunders,
And there you hope to purchase Wonders.
But when thou 'rt there thou 'lt be at best,
I fear me, but a sorry Guest.
Yet it may live to bauk thy Fleet,
When thou hast ne're a Nose to see't.
A Crown in ready is my Dower,
Here thou art safe a Conquerour,
Here thou may fix thy Troy and Histories,
And young Ascanius get a Mistress,
And while we sleep in a whole skin,
Bring Grist to Mill, and make no din.
[Page 116] By Cupid's Arrows I adjure thee,
And all the Gods that forward spur thee,
As thou dost pitty one unhappy,
That has no Crime, but that she clapt thee;
Come home with all the speed you can,
What is a Miss without a man?
I am not spawn'd from fierce Achilles,
Nor did my Parents owe thee Malice.
To be thy Wife if 'tis Offence,
I'm satisfi'd to be thy Wench.
To have thee here upon the spot,
What would I be? What wou'd I not?
Our Lybian Coasts do know our Seasons,
When you may best ship off your Peasants.
Refer it to my Care and Leisure,
When you are safe then use your Pleasure.
Your weary Slaves wou'd be content;
Their Shirts are torn, and Masts are spent.
[Page 117] If by the Nose I cannot lead thee,
What Merit can't, let Love perswade thee,
Stay till I learn a while to juggle,
And give me time with Grief to struggle.
If not, know this—I'le ne're endure
A Malady admits no cure.
My Life's too weak, the Devil too strong on't,
I'll hang my self, there's short and long on't.
Death holds my pen, and stops my Eyes,
While cross my Lap the Halter lyes.
I scow'r for very Fear with thinking
My windpipe short will spoil my drinking.
My funeral Pomp will cost thee fair
To pay't with three pence worth of Ware.
Thy Gift! A Rope light on the Tool
Is e'en too good for such a Fool.
To no new wounds I make a buzzle,
The old Noose Love has stopt my Guzzle.
[Page 118] And thou dear Nanny make a Shift
To help me out at a dead Lift,
And all my Neighbours with a scritch
Be sure to throw me in some Ditch;
But lay me not my Husbands grave in,
Because with Horns I did beslave him.
Write only this short Epitaph.
Here Dido lyes that lov'd to quaff,
Aeneas left me Rope, the Elf,
And I did fairly hang my self.

The Foregoing EPISTLE OF DIDO TO AENEAS,

By another Hand.
SO in the fallows of Menander,
The mournful Goose gagg'ls for Gander.
Not that I doubt a greater Mischance,
Or hope to enjoy thee at this Distance;
[Page 120] But having lost my better half,
Why shou'd I fear to cast my Calf?

And so forward, for it is so like the former Epistle, that one may indifferently serve for both, and I am loath to trouble the Reader with needless Repetition.

ACONTIUS to CYDIPPE.

The ARGUMENT.

Acontius in the Temple of Diana at Delos (famous for the resort of the most Beautiful Virgins of all Greece) fell in Love with Cydippe, a Lady of Quality much above his own; not daring therefore to court her openly, he found this Device to obtain her: He writes upon the fair­est Apple that cou'd be procured, a Couple of Verses to this Effect.

I swear by chast Diana I will be
In sacred Wedlock ever joyn'd to thee.

And throws it at the feet of the young Lady. She suspecting not the Deceit takes it up, and reads it, and therein promises her self in Marriage to Acontius, there being a Law there in force, that whatever any person shou'd swear in the Temple of Diana of Delos, should stand good and be inviolably observed. But her Father not knowing what had past, and having not long after promis'd her to another, just as the Solemnities of Marriage were to be performed, she was taken with a sudden and violent Fever, which Acontius, endeavours to perswade her was sent from Diana as a Punishment of the Breach of the Vow made in her Presence. And this with the rest of the Arguments which on such an Occasion wou'd occur to Lovers, is the subject of the following Epistle.

REad freely this my pretty Dearing,
And leave your bouncing and your swearing
Read it I say, for I wou'd fain
That we shou'd both be out of pain,
And after all your Mercury
You shou'd be found to Do with me.
Why do you blush like any Bear,
As when you in the porch did swear.
To speak the Truth you need no drivel,
For speak the Truth, and shame the Devil.
But be asham'd to steal, for I
My pretty Soul mean honestly.
Oh! think upon those Words were slipping
And the late Motto of the Pippin,
When to your Feet it came a tripping
And you the Apple fell a gripping.
There you will find the Oaths and Curses,
Which if we mind our Health or Purses,
[Page 123] You ought to have so great a Care
That you perform 'em to a hair.
Diana heard your Vows alone,
That Chit will tell you of your own.
You'd better far to say and hold,
Than to provoke so rank a Scold.
My Fears for thee do make me jealous,
And fierce Defire's blow up the Bellows.
For hope you gave, you can't deny it,
The Nymph was by to justifie it.
She was, and heard you every Tittle.
In lucky Hand she blew a Spittle.
Her Statue bow'd and play'd at Noddy,
And gave Consent to yield your Body.
Now if your please accuse the Cheat,
But say 'twas Love that did the Feat.
For by that Cheat what more was meant,
But to cheat you by your own Consent?
[Page 124] What you a Crime, I count a Glory,
Since Loving you is all the Story.
Such Crimes with Pride I will pursue,
If I can have my ends of you.
Nor am I practis'd in the slys
And webs to 'tangle Virgin flys.
Nature taught me, and you know Nature
Did not design to cog nor flatter.
I laid the Bait, you bit the fly,
And Love a finger had i'th' Pie.
For Love stood by, and did indite
The very words that I did write.
Again I write, Love holds the Taper,
He guides my Pen, and rules my Paper.
Again I send you such sweet matter,
As I'm afraid will make you water.
But if for this your Slave you damn,
I'll ne're be less than what I am.
[Page 125] Oh! that I thus might still be guilty
In finding out new ways to tilt thee.
A thousand Paths lead to that Valley,
And shall I stand on shall I? shall I?
I'll break throw all the stops that may be.
Faint heart did never kiss fair Lady.
But what of this will be the Close,
For me, the Lord of Oxford knows.
Yet if we Mortals have a Mother
You must be mine one way or other.
If Art shou'd fail, I'll make a Riot,
And ravish thee if thou deny it.
I'll do it in a manner ample
As e're the Worthies gave Example.
I too—But hold—I shall be nub'd
Then be it so—
For let me be or hang'd or grub'd,
[Page 126] Who wou'd not for a single touch
Venture to take one gentle Stretch?
If you were not a little proud,
I'de court you in the common Road,
Nor wou'd I go about the Bush,
But take thee at the very push.
But thou art such a pretty Pad,
It is enough to make one mad.
Those Eyes which do outshine a Custard,
Which we may feast on without Mustard;
Those Arms as clear as Foot of Kite
(Which shou'd be mine had I my Right)
That comely Confidence and Grace
With living Brass that paints thy Face;
Those feet like Thetis in the Flood,
Inch deep with dabbling in the Mud,
And something else that I cou'd name,
But have not yet beheld the same;
[Page 127] With all the rest in sober Sadness,
Do serve but to encrease my Madness.
Cou'd I but see 'em all together,
Wou'd make my heart light as a Feather,
No Wonder then your Beauty's such
That I shou'd long to have a touch.
Now be as angry as the Devil,
I cannot help the standing Evil.
But give me leave before your Face,
To lay the Fiend your Spell did raise,
Your Pardon prostrate at your A—hole,
I humbly beg, who am your Vassal,
With a fresh stream your Rage I'll cool
And lay the Tempest of your Pool.
To Love why are you so severe?
While to the flower the point I rere,
Summon'd by Beauty to appear
For all my faults I'de suffer there.
[Page 128] By Pride do not my Fancy pall,
Beware, for pride will have a Fall.
Your Fetters too—But they alas!
Like Monkey tye me by the A—
To bear it all, do what you can,
You'l find I am so much a Man.
Then will you say when I can get it,
Who loves it better, sure must eat it.
And since for me yo've done all this,
I'll be thy own Lyndabridis,
But if all this shou'd not be taking
Dina was at Bargain making.
And sh' has a plaguy Reach at Lyes,
And punishing of Perjuries.
I dread to hide, and dread to utter,
Least for my self you'd think I mutter.
But now 'tis out—'tis only this,
You fain wou'd be anothers Miss.
[Page 129] The Pimp stayes waiting in the Port,
But the chaste Nymph prevents the sport.
And when you are upon the peg,
The Cramp still holds you by the Leg
Forbear, forbear thus to provoke her,
Which you may yet, if you'l but stroak her.
Forbear that Face by too much strictness,
To stain with green or yellow sickness.
Preserve those Looks (if Fates say truth)
Design'd a Dish for my own tooth.
Let these fresh Cheeks their Colour put on,
That once might rost a Brest of Mutton.
But if our Die is in her Fits,
Because you do not mind your hits;
Let me be haunted with that Spirit,
My back is broad enough to bear it▪
It makes my very Bowels quake,
To think thy Finger shou'd but ake.
[Page 130] For ah! how am I rack'd and tortur'd!
And every Minute drawn and quarter'd!
Sometimes it twists me in the Nose,
To think that I shou'd be the Cause.
And beg my Dina for your sake,
To lay the Burden on my Back.
But ah! in vain I do contrive all,
For now, perhaps, you hug my Rival;
Under pretence to ease your pain,
He takes you in the merry vein;
Tryes how your Pulses beat before,
And slips his sawcy Fist down lower.
Kisses your hand, turns up your heels,
And what he cannot see he feels.
You sawcy Rascal, who made you
So bold, to rob me of my Due?
For you are mine, so is that Bosome,
For thee to reap did never blossom.
[Page 131] Take, take away your bawdy Paws,
That (sirrah's) for your Master, sauce;
Though she's intail'd on you, yet she
Made o'er her Copy-hold to me.
You must not argue on that point,
For now your Nose is out of joynt.
This my Cydippe is the Devil
That is the cause of all our Evil,
And makes our Dina fall a huffing,
To break your Vows for such a Ruffian.
My Dear forbid him then your house,
And you are safe as Church in Mouse.
Then keep the Oaths and Vows you mumbl'd
Which Dina heard and understumbl'd.
Then fear not, she will cool thy Liver,
And be as good a Friend as ever.
Some patiently turn up their Bum,
And kiss the Rod when they have done;
[Page 132] And tho' a Lye deserves a lashing,
Shun being forsworn, and save a slashing.
Why do 'ye your Parents Crimes inhance,
And keep the Fools in ignorance?
Then be not mealy mouth'd, but scatter
The sum and substance of the matter.
Oh! tell thy Dam how I was smitten
With thy sweet face, thou with the pippin!
She cannot call me Knave or Cheat,
Nor choose but smile at the Conceit.
Marry, shee'l say with all my heart,
Marriage and hanging do impart
A secret tye of Destiny;
If't pleases them it pleases me.
But if she ask from whence I came,
Of what Degree, Estate, or Fame,
Tell her, to satisfie the Dame,
I'm not asham'd to shew my Name.
Had you not vow'd, and made such tenders,
And swore the Temple out at Windors,
[Page 133] I'm good enough, though ne'er a Rag on,
To Lard your Pullet with my Bacon.
This in my Dream Diana mutter'd,
And Cupid's Shafts about me flutter'd.
Go Fool, said they, leave off your dodging,
This Bill a Deux send to her Lodging.
Obey 'em both, for I am wounded
By the young Rascal, most confounded.
Which if you pitty, she the faster
Who broke your head will give a Plaister.
Then to the business we will settle,
You full of Hope, I full of Mettle.
In triumph then we'll cross the Fields,
With all the Crowd about our heels,
To th' Temple-Porch, where I will make
A Pippin Present for thy sake:
I'le throw whole Pecks about the Street
In Memorandum of the Cheat;
And on the Apple I'le inscribe
This Wedding Posey for my Bride,
[Page 134] Know all men by these Presents, hence
Cydippe is an honest Wench.
I wou'd write more, but that your Pains
Give me the Running of the Reins;
And you're so weak I'le not pursue you,
For fear lest I should overdo you.

CYDIPPE Her Answer to ACONTIUS.

I Read your Note, tho' it was blunt,
Nor did I swear as I was wont.
Nor had I valu'd it a whit,
But that I fear'd the peevish Chit.
You deal it seems with no small Bodies,
That to your Friend have got a Goddess.
Is she so chaste to plague a Virgin,
She rather ought t' have been my Surgeon.
But I have still the luck to deal
With Carrion Beef instead of Veal.
I'm sick I think o'th' Mulligrubs,
Eating chopt Hay with Sillabubs.
[Page 136] I languish so with inward Blisters,
I find no ease in Drugs nor Glisters.
I write, I vow t'ye, in such pain,
I'm ready to drop down again.
And what most racks my Pia mater,
Lest ought but Nurse shou'd watch my water.
To gain me time she plays at Trap,
And tells my Friends I've ta'en a nap,
More pain for you I cou'd not suffer,
Tho' you had Goods to fill my Coffer,
Beauty and Love conspire together,
'Twere happy had I ne'er known either.
Whil'st with your Rival you are gabling.
I lose my Fame by your damn'd babling.
While two Dogs strive about the Bone,
A third comes in, and leaves them none.
Thus, while your Titles you confound,
Betwixt two Stools I fall to ground.
The day draws on, and I must marry:
My Parents press, nor can I tarry.
[Page 137] But whilst the Groom waits at the Port,
Death steps between, and spoils the sport.
Some call it Chance, and some disparage
The Gods, to say they cross my Marriage.
While some do censure, from your Fob
You gave a Philtre did the Jobb.
If you're so good at poysoning those
That are your Friends, who'll be your Foes?
Wou'd I to Church ne'er found the way,
Or that I'd broke my neck that day.
When in your Port we fixt our Anchors,
We were afraid of nought but shankers.
Twice did cross Winds oppose us there,
Cross, did I say? No they were fair.
Those Winds were fair our Course withstood,
It's an ill Wind blows on one good.
Yet to see Delos I was willing,
Tho' for a Wind I'de giv'n a shilling.
By Tenos Isle and Mycene,
We came to Delos by long Sea.
[Page 138] And much I fear'd your Land of Faries
Wou'd vanish with their Cows and Daries.
At night we land, though not worth three­pence,
The Maids made me as fine as fi-pence;
Then to attend the shitten com sh—
We go, and I throw in my Mite.
And while my Parents made Preamble
Of Grace, my Nurs and I did ramble.
We saw all things we could come at,
Pictures, and Wonders, God knows what.
But whilst those Rarities I spy,
Acontius had me in his Eye;
And there while on my looks he fed,
A Sheeps Eye cast from a Calfs head.
Now to the Spire we make a hault,
Which sure should be no Bawdy Vault.
With him no sooner did I grapple,
But there I found the treacherous Apple.
With this Design—I vow and swear.
Ah me! what do I do?—I fear
[Page 139] Again I'm like to be forswore,
But there's enough of that before.
The name of Wife made me so great,
That I was tickled with conceit.
Why should you cheat a silly Maid
At such a rate, and play the Jade?
Is then the Nymph oblig'd to that,
Without a touch you know of what?
The Will was good, why did you fear?
You might believe tho' I did not swear.
Yet have I still a damn'd suspition
That I am in an ill condition.
Thrice Hymen came to pick our locks,
But thrice he parted with a Pox.
And Dina still would rule the Rost,
My Parents gave me o're for lost.
What have I done you shou'd abuse me?
When Ignorance does still excuse me?
Canst thou, even thou, with all thy wit,
Canst thou oblige her with a Bit?
[Page 140] When to her canst thou bring a Fee
That will excuse both thee and me?
Nor think thy Rival is allow'd
A greater Favour than the Crowd:
For tho' he comes without resistance,
I make the Rascal know his distance.
If he but steal a kiss, he blushes,
And strait his Nose with water gushes:
He once had courage to beseech,
I bid the Fool go kiss my Breech.
'Tis such another Nincompoop,
I sleep, and he begins to droop.
He sees, yet keeps his Eyes a winking,
Says nought, but pays it off with thinking.
He's full of Grief, I full of pain,
And all this for a Rogue in Grain.
Your Worship writes for leave to come,
To kiss the back-side of my Bum.
With Finger in your mouth, I warrant
You'd have another sleeveless Errand.
[Page 141] But thou'lt repent when thou dost see
The Trophies of thy Cruelty.
My flesh is tawny, Cheeks grow dapple,
Like the Complection of your Apple.
Now Lad, thou woud'st repent my swearing
And hardly think me worth thy wearing.
To Delos then wou'd hast to ease thee
And beg the Goddess to release thee.
Or in thy Cranny keep a puther
By new Oaths to outswear the other.
No means for Health my Nurse omits▪
And still I have my wonted Fits.
We ask the Wiseman, he replying,
Can any better come of Lying?
The Gods are on thy side; in thee
To be so kind what can they see?
But so it is—and I must buckle,
Under thy Foot-stool for to truckle.
Since 'tis my Fate thou must be mine,
I'l say no more but I am thine.
[Page 142] My Mother now does understand me,
How with an Apple you trapan'd me.
What I have said in this Condition,
I fear I've gone beyond Commission,
And said already more to thee,
Than what becomes my Modesty.
But lately since I took my potion,
And now I find a sudden Motion.
Be true, and set thy heart at rest,
I'll say no more, few words are best.
FINIS.

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