IMITATIONS OF ENGLISH POETS. W I. CHAUCER. OMEN ben full of Ragerie, Yet fwinken nat fans fecrefie. To filche the gray Ducke fro the Lake. 5 ΤΟ 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 thrust a white neck, and red creft. 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 truft on Mon, whofe yerde can talke." 25 IN II. SPENSER. The ALLEY. I. N 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 fhort 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 Doth many a stinking sprat and herring lie; A brandy and tobacco shop is near, And hens, and dogs, and hogs are feeding by; And here a failor's jacket hangs to dry. T 15 At ev'ry door are fun-burnt matrons seen, III. The fnappifh cur (the paffengers annoy) The fcolding Quean to louder notes doth rife, IV. 30 Hard by a Sty, beneath a roof of thatch, cease. |