8o Miscellaneous Poe m a.

At hearing this, the sneering Neighbours gave-An universal Shout and hideous Laugh.

Now on the Roof, and now on John they gape,

And all his Earnelt turn into a Jape.

He swore against the Scholar and his Wife,

And never look’d so foolish in his Life.

Whate’er he speaks, the People never mind ;

His Oaths are nothing, and his Words are Wind.Thus all consent to scoff each serious Word,

And John remain’d a Cuckold on Record.

Thus Doors of Brass, and Bars of Steel are vain>And watchful Jealousy, and-Larking Pain,

Is fruitless all, when a goocUnatur’d SpouseDesigns Preferment for her Husband’s Brows.

Thus Alison, her Cuckold, does defy,

And Absalon has kiss’d her nether Eye jWhile Nicholas is scalded in the Breech,

My Tale is done; God save us all, and each.

BAUCIS and PHILEMON,

Imitated stem the 8th B ok of Ovid*

By JONATHAN SWIFT, D. D.

I N ancient Times, as Story tells,

The Saints would often leave their Cells,And strole about, but hide their Quality,

To try good People’s Hospitality.

It happen’d on a Winter Night,

As Authors of the Legend write ;

Two