XXIV. Hard by, a ready wight, behold Of parts too keen to be controll'd XXV. Still from the midnight-goblet hot, He fires his turgid brain, With jarring schemes, from wine begot, To ravage land and main. XXVI. With these wild embryos, shapeless all, Without head, tail, or limb, He lures his master to his call, While both in fancy swim. XXVII. He now receives th' absurd command This beauteous Queen to spoil: Ah! deed unseemly for his hand, A native of her isle. XXVIII. He runs and strips her gracious brows Of her Imperial Crown To dress the Hag, who quickly throws Her turnip-garland down. XXIX. Yet smiling greets the Queen, and swears He only means her good, That exigencies of affairs May want her heart's best blood. XXX. Thus spoil'd, she sinks with sorrow faint Before th' insulting Hag, And, lest she publish her complaint, Is menac'd with a gag. XXXI. There lying, of her clothes she's stript, Her money too, we're told, Into the judge's hand was slipt, Ah! shameful thirst of gold! XXXII. Against Apollo Midas old Gave judgment; did he worse Than one who to his wife, for gold, Could thus prefer his nurse? XXXIII. Ah! yet recall her cruel fate, Mistaken judge, thy friend Here warns thee; dangers soon or late On Avarice attend. XXXIV. In thy wife's ruin yet behold Then cease to barter love, for gold VOL. III. PLAIN THOUGHTS IN PLAIN LANGUAGE: A NEW BALLAD. 1743. I. ATTEND, ye brave Britons All you who deserve, And resolve to be free; Plain Thoughts will suffice, And Plain Language will do, When all we assert Is known to be true. Derry down, &c. II. To save our old laws, A new monarch we took; And well for those laws An old tyrant forsook : And should our old England A curse on the slaves Who the new won't forsake. Derry down, &c. III. This monarch, unskilled In the nation's affairs, A lover of wealth, And a foe to all cares, Resign'd to his statesmen His kingdom itself, And wink'd at their plunder To share in the pelf. Derry down, &c. |