IMITATIONS O F ENGLISH POETS. W 1. CHAUCER. OMEN ben full of Ragerie, Yet fwinken nat fans fecrefie. Which to the Fennes hath him betake, 5 To filch the gray Ducke fro the Lake. And stoppen, and lough, and callen out,--- ΤΟ They asken that, and talken this, "Lo here is Coz, and here is Miss. 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 crest. Te-he, cry'd Ladies; Clerke nought spake: Mifs ftar'd; and gray Ducke cryeth 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. 15 20 Ν IN 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 soft fliding to and fro. There oft are heard the notes of Infant Woe, 5 The short thick Sob, loud Scream, and shriller 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 snappifh cur, (the paffengers annoy) IV. Hard by a Sty, beneath a roof of thatch, 30 Cod, whiting, oyster, mackrel, sprat, or plaice; There learn'd she speech from tongues that never cease. |