No More Learning

She stalks all day in streets, concealed from sight,
And flies like bats with leathern wings by night ;
She wav^ii^s the country, and on cities preys.
Her, ot a female harpy in dog-days,



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214 THE POEMS

Black Birch, of all the earth-born race most hot,
And most rapacious, like himself begot ;
And of his brat enamoured, as she increased.
Buggered in inc<»st with the mongrel beast.

Say Muse, for nothing can escape thy sight.
And Painter, wanting other, draw this fight.
Who in an English senate fierce debate
Could raise so long, for this new whore of state.

Of early wittols first the troop marched in,
For diligence renowned, and discipline ;
In loyal haste they left your wives in bed.
And Denham these with one consent did head.

Of the old courtiers next a squadron came,
Who sold their master, led by Ashburnham.

To them succeeds a despicable rout,
But knew the word, and well could face about ;
Expectants pale, with hopes of spoil allured.
Though yet but pioneers, and led by Steward.

Then damning cowards ranged the vocal plain ;
Wood these commands, knight of the horn and

cane :
Still his hook-shoulder seems the blow to dread,
And under 's arm -pit he defends his head.
The posture strange men laugh at, of his poll
Hid with his elbow like the spice he stole :



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OF MARVKLL. 215

Headless St. Dennis so his head does bear,
And both of them alike French martyrs were.
Court officers, as used, the next place took,

And followed F x, but with disdainful

look:
His birth, his youth, his brokage all dispraise In vain ; for always he commands that pays.

Then the procurers under Progers filed.
Gentlest of men, and his lieutenant mild ;
Bronkard, love's squire, through all the field

arrayed,
No troop was better clad, nor so well paid.

Then marched the troop of Clarendon, all full,
Haters of fowl, to teal preferring bull ;
Gross bodies, grosser minds, and grosser cheats,
And bloated Wren conducts them to their seats.

Charlton advances next (whose wife does awe
The mitred troop) and with his looks gives law.
He marched with beaver cocked of bishop's brim.
And hid much fraud under an aspect grim.

Next do the lawyers, sordid band, appear.
Finch in the front, and Thurland in the rear. .

The troop of privilege, a rabble bare
Of debtors deep, fell to Trelawney's care ;



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21 G THE POEMS

Their fortune's error thej supplied in rage,
Nor any farther would than these engage.

Then inarched the troop, whose valiant acts
before
Their public acts, obliged them to do more,
For chimney's sake they all Sir Pool obeyed.
Or, in his absence, him that first it laid.

Then came the thrifty troop of privateers.
Whose horses each with other interferes :
Before them Higgins rides with brow compact,
Mourning his countess, anxious for his act

Sir Frederick and Sir Solomon draw lots.
For the command of politics and Scots ;
Thence fell to words ; but quarrels to adjourn,
Their friends agreed they should command by turn.