For as we see th' eclipsed sun
By mortals is more gaz'd upon
Than when, adorn'd with all his light,
He shines in serene sky most bright;
So valour, in a low estate, 1055
Is most admir'd and wonder'd at.
Quoth Ralph, How great I do not know
We may, by being beaten, grow;
But none that see how here we sit,
Will judge us overgrown with wit. 1060
As gifted brethren, preaching by
A carnal hour-glass,[1] do imply
Illumination, can convey
Into them what they have to say,
But not how much; so well enough 1065
Know you to charge, but not draw off.
For who, without a cap and bauble,[2]
Having subdu'd a bear and rabble,
And might with honour have come off,
Would put it to a second proof: 1070
A politic exploit, right fit
For Presbyterian zeal and wit.[3]
Quoth Hudibras, That cuckoo's tone,
Ralpho, thou always harp'st upon;
When thou at anything would'st rail, 1075
Thou mak'st presbytery thy scale
- ↑ In those days there was always an hour-glass placed conspicuously on or near the pulpit, in an iron frame, which was set immediately after giving out the text. An hour, or the sand run out, was considered the legitimate length of a sermon. This preaching by the hour gave rise to an abundance of jokes, of which the following are examples: "A tedious spin-text having tired out his congregation by a sermon which had lasted through one turn of his glass and three parts of the second, without any prospect of its coming to a close, was, out of compassion to the yawning auditory, greeted with this short hint by the sexton, 'Pray, Sir, be pleased, when you have done, to leave the key under the door;' and thereupon departing, the congregation followed him." Another: A punning preacher, having talked a full hour, turned his hour-glass, and said: "Come, my friends, let us take another glass."
- ↑ Who but one who deserves a fool's cap.
- ↑ Ralpho, being chagrined by his situation, not only blames the misconduct of the Knight, which had brought them into the scrape, but sneers at him for his religious principles. The Independents, at one time, were as inveterate against the Presbyterians as both were against the Church.
