84 Miscellaneous Poem s.

His Wastcoat to a Cassock grew,

And both affsm’d a Sable Hue;

But being old, continu’d justAs thread bare, and as full of Dust.

His Talk was now of Tythes and Dues,

Could fmoak his Pipe, and read the News;Knew how to preach old Sermons next,Vamptin the Preface and the Text;

At Christ’nings well could act his Part,

And had the Service all by Heart:

Wislt’d Women might have Children fast,

And thought whose Sow had farrow’d last 5Against Dissenters would repine,

And stood up firm for Right Divine,

From his Head fill’d with many a System,

Put Classic Authors-he ne’er mifs’d ’em.

Thus having furnish’d up a Parson,

Dame Baucis next they play "d their Farce on .Instead of home-fpun Coils, were seenGood Pinners edg’d with Colberteen ;

Her Petticoat transforms apace,

Became black Sattin, floune’d with Lace.Plain Goody would no longer down,

’Twas Madam, in her Grogram Gown.Philemon was in great Surprize,

And hardly could believe his Eyes,

Am az’d to fee her look so prim;

And lhe admir’d as much at him.

Thus happy, in their Change of Life,Were several Years this Man and Wife;When on a Day, which prov’d their last,Discoursing on old Stories past,

They went, by chance, amidst their Talk,To the Church yard, to take a Walk;

When Baucis hastily cry’d out,

My Dear, I fee your Forehead sprout.

Sprout, quoth the Man, What’s this you tellI hope you don’t believe me Jealous;