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CCCCLXXXIII.

COURTSHIP.

Six months, quoth Sim, a wooer, and not sped,
I in six days did mine both woo and wed:
But the green virgin-fruit needs time to shake,
Thine was some downfal, I dare undertake.

CCCCLXXXIV.

ON BEING EXPELL'D A LADY'S. COMPANY.

Thus Adam look'd when from the garden driv'n,
And thus disputed orders sent from heav'n :
Like him I go, tho' to depart I'm loth ;

Like him I go, for angels drive us both.
Hard was his fate, but mine still more unkind,

His Eve went with him, but mine stays behind.

CCCCLXXXV.

THE MAN OF KNOWLEDGE.

He's like a lusty soil, whose moisture feeds,
If not a world of corn, a world of weeds.

CCCCLXXXVI.

THE LOVER'S PROLOGUE.

Kisses are prologues, which forerun
A greater action to be done:
And, to a hungry lover's taste,

Are invitations, not the feast.

CCCCLXXXVII.

UPON A LADY'S WRITING IN CHARACTERS.

Belinda sighs for Strephon, and wou'd show it,
By writing thus, that none but he may know it:
So, while in characters she tells her mind,
Love makes not him, or her, but others blind.

CCCCLXXXVIII,

ONE WIFE TOO MUCH.

Some men there are two wives would crave,

Their appetite is such :

Not so with me, but one I have,

Yet find that one too much.

CCCCLXXXIX.

TO A WORN-OUT AUTHOR.

When next you're in print, Ned, for money or fame, Be advis'd by a friend, let the work want your name: For whoever in that should unluckily look,

And remembers your last, will ne'er open the book.

CCCCXC.

A COMPETENCE IS BEST.

Dick damns the world-he's tir'd of living here,
Because he has but fifty pounds a year.

Tom damns himself with ev'ry vice that's found,
Because he's worth full fifty thousand pound;
Will feels the qualms of virtue, reason, sense,—
Because heaven gave him but a competence.

CCCCXCI.

ONE AND A CYPHER.

Says Giles, my wife and I are two;
Yet, faith! I know not why, Sir!
Quoth, Jack, you're ten, if I speak true,—
She's one, and you're a cypher.

CCCCXCII.

FREE ABUSE.

Says Bavius to Crites, "you're a wolf, and I know it.” Says Crites to Bavius, "you're an ass and you shew it.” Says Bavius again, “I'll pull off your sheep skin, "And shew what a beast you keep harbour'd within.” Says Crites" that trouble is sav'd in your case, "Since your beast spreads his ears all over your face."

ССССХСІІІ.

THE COMBAT; OR, BLACK, WHITE, AND RED.

A chimney-sweep and baker went to fight;
The baker beat the chimney-sweeper white:
The chimney-sweep, tho' laid upon his back,
Took wind, and quickly beat the baker black.
In came a brickdust-man, with porter fed,
And beat both chimney-sweep and baker red.
Thus red, black, white, in clouds together lay,
And none could tell, which party had the day.

The miser Scrapeall sick, for Styptic sends,
The terms no cure no pay' the Leech attends;
From Scrapeall or his heirs, the pay is sure,
For Styptic's practice is to kill or cure.

CCCCXCV.

A LOSS AND NOTHING LOST.

I've heard your loss, your wife is dead,
Consoling Tom to Richard said.

66 My wife is dead" cries Dick "I own,
"But for the loss, I know of none.”

CCCCXCVI.

THE PRUDENT THIEF.

Sam stole no more than paid his Lawyer's brief. Thus the receiver pleaded for the thief.