Just catches at the sound; But soon articulates aloud, Much to th' amusement of the crowd, A querulous old woman's voice He scolds, and gives the lie. VI. Belinda and her bird! 'tis rare, To meet with such a well-match'd pair, The language and the tone, Each character in ev'ry part Sustain'd with so much grace and art, And both in unison. VII. When children first begin to spell, We think them tedious creatures; But difficulties soon abate, When birds are to be taught to prate, And women are the teachers. TRANSLATION OF PRIOR'S CHLOE AND EUPHELIA. 1. MERCATOR, vigiles oculos ut fallere possit, Nomine sub ficto trans mare mittit opes; Lené sonat liquidumque meis Euphelia chordis, Sed solam exoptant te, mea vota, Chloe. II. Ad speculum ornabat nitidos Euphelia crines, Fila lyræ vocemque paro suspiria surgunt, IV. Subrubet illa pudore, et contrahit altera frontem, Me torquet mea mens conscia, psallo, tremo; Atque Cupidinea dixit Dea cincta corona, Heu! fallendi artem quam didicere parum. THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN: Shewing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, To-morrow is our wedding-day, Unto the Bell at Edmonton My sister and my sister's child, On horseback after we. He soon replied, I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done. I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; O'erjoy'd was he to find, That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad, The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin at his horse's side For saddletree scarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers When Betty screaming came down stairs, 'The wine is left behind!' Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword, When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, |