IMITATIONS OF ENGLISH POETS. W I. CHAUCER. OMEN ben full of Ragerie, Yet fwinken nat fans fecrefie. "Ho! quoth another, Cozen John ;” And stoppen, and lough, and callen out,--- 5 IO 15 20 They afken that, and talken this, "Lo here is Coz, and here is Mifs." But, as he glozeth with Speeches foote, The Ducke fore tickleth his Erfe roote: Fore-piece and buttons all-to-brest, Forth thruft a white neck, and red crest. Te-he, cry'd Ladies; Clerke nought spake : Mifs ftar'd; and gray Ducke crieth Quaake. "O Moder, Moder, (quoth the daughter) "Be thilke fame thing Maids longer a'ter? "Bette is to pyne on coals and chalke, "Then trust on Mon, whofe yerde can talke." 25 IN II. SPENSER. The ALLEY. I. ev'ry Town, where Thamis rolls his Tyde, A narrow Pass there is, with Houses low; Where ever and anon, the Stream is ey'd, And many a Boat foft fliding to and fro. There oft are heard the notes of Infant Woe, 5 The short thick Sob, loud Scream, and thriller Squall: How can ye, Mothers, vex your Children fo? Some play, fome eat, fome cack against the wall, And as they crouchen low, for bread and butter call. II. And on the broken pavement, here and there, 10 And hens, and dogs, and hogs are feeding by; 15 At ev'ry door are fun-burnt matrons seen, III. 20 The fnappish cur (the paffengers annoy) IV. Hard by a Sty, beneath a roof of thatch, cease. 30 Slander befide her, like a Mag-pie, chatters, With Envy, (fpitting Cat) dread foe to peace; Like a curs'd Cur, Malice before her clatters, And vexing 'ry wight, tears clothes and all to tatters. V. 36 Her dugs were mark'd by ev'ry Collier's hand, Would greet the man who turn'd him to the Wall, VI. 44 Such place hath Deptford, navy-building town, Woolwich and Wapping, fmelling ftrong of pitch; Such Lambeth, envy of each band and gown, And Twick'nam fuch, which fairer scenes enrich, Grots, ftatues, urns, and Jo---n's Dog and Bitch, |