IX. Albeit ne flatt'ry did corrupt her truth, But there was eke a Mind which did that title love. X. One ancient hen she took delight to feed, The plodding pattern of the bufy dame; Which, ever and anon, impell'd by need, Into her school, begirt with chickens, came; Such favour did her past deportment claim: And, if Neglect had lavish'd on the ground Fragment of bread, she would collect the fame ; For well she knew, and quaintly could expound, What fin it were to wafte the smallest crumb fhe found. Herbs too fhe knew, and well of each could speak Of grey renown, within thofe borders grew: The tufted Bafil, pun-provoking Thyme, Fresh Baum, and Mary-gold of cheerful hue; The lowly Gill, that never dares to climb; And more I fain would fing, difdaining here to rhimé. XII. Yet Euphrafy may not be left unfang, That gives dim eyes to wander leagues around; And crown her kerchiefs clean, with mickle rare perfume. And here trim Rofmarine, that whilom crown'd The daintieft garden of the proudest peer; Ere, driven, from its envy'd fite, it found A facred fhelter for its branches here; Nor ever would She more with thane and lordling dwell. XIV. Here XIV. Here oft the dame, on Sabbath's decent eve. Hymned fuch pfalms as Sternhold forth did mete, If winter 'twere, fhe to her hearth did cleave; But in her garden found a summer feat: Sweet melody! to hear her then repeat How Ifrael's fons, beneath a foreign king, While taunting foe-men did a fong intreat, All, for the Nonce, untuning ev'ry string, Up hung their useless lyres-small heart had they to fing. XV. For fhe was juft, and friend to virtuous lore, And pafs'd much time in truly virtuous deed; And, in those Elfin's ears, would oft deplore The times, when Truth by Popish rage did bleed; And tortious death was true devotion's meed; And fimple faith in iron chains did mourn, That would on wooden image place her creed; And lawny faints in mould'ring flames did burn : Ah! dearest Lord, forefend, thilk days fhould e'er return. XVI. In elbow chair, like that of Scottish ftem By the sharp tooth of cank'ring eld defac'd, The matron fate; and fome with rank she grac❜d, (The fource of children's and of courtier's pride!) Redress'd affronts, for vile affronts there pass'd; And warn'd them not the fretful to deride, But love each other dear, whatever them betide. XVII. Right well the knew each temper to defcry; To thwart the proud, and the submiss to raise; Some with vile copper prize exalt on high, And fome entice with pittance fmall of praise; And other fome with baleful sprig fhe 'frays; Ev'n abfent, fhe the reins of pow'r doth hold, While with quaint arts the giddy crowd she sways; Forewarn'd, if little bird their pranks behold, "Twill whisper in her ear, and all the scene unfold. XVIII. Lo now with ftate fhe utters the command! Eftfoons the urchins to their tasks repair; Their books of ftature fmall they take in hand, Which with pellucid horn fecured are ; To fave from finger wet the letters fair: The work fo gay. that on their back is feen, St. George's high atchievements does declare; On which thilk wight that has y-gazing been, Kens the forth-coming rod, unpleafing fight, I ween! XIX. Ah XIX. Ah lucklefs he, and born beneath the beam As erft the bard by Mulla's filver stream, For brandishing the rod, the doth begin To loose the brogues, the ftripling's late delight! And down they drop; appears his dainty skin, Fair as the furry coat of whiteft Ermilin. XX. O ruthful scene! when from a nook obscure, Nor longer can fhe now her fhrieks command; a Spenfer. On |