This tattling[1] gossip knew too well,
What mischief Hudibras befell;
And straight the spiteful tidings bears,
Of all, to th' unkind widow's ears.80
Democritus ne'er laugh'd so loud,[2]
To see bawds carted through the crowd,
Or funerals with stately pomp,
March slowly on in solemn dump.
As she laugh'd out, until her back, 85
As well as sides, was like to crack.
She vow'd she would go see the sight,
And visit the distressed Knight,
To do the office of a neighbour.
And be a gossip at his labour;[3] 90
And from his wooden jail, the stocks.[4]
To set at large his fetter-locks,
And by exchange, parole, or ransom,
To free him from th' enchanted mansion.
This b'ing resolv'd, she call'd for hood 95
And usher, implements abroad[5]
Which ladies wear, beside a slender
Young waiting damsel to attend her.
All which appearing, on she went
To find the Knight in limbo pent. 100
And 'twas not long before she found
Him, and his stout Squire, in the pound;
Both coupled in enchanted tether,
By further leg behind together:
- ↑ Var. "Twattling gossip," in the two first editions.
- ↑ Democritus was the "laughing philosopher." He regarded the common cares and pursuits of men as simply ridiculous, and ridiculed them accordingly.
- ↑ Gossip, from God sib; that is, sib, or related by means of religion; a god-father or sponsor at baptism.
- ↑ The original reading of this and the following line explains the meaning of the preceding one. In the two editions of 1664, they stand
That is, to see him deliver'd safe
Of 's wooden burthen, and Squire Ralph. - ↑ Some have doubted whether the word usher means an attendant, or part of her dress; but from Part III., Canto II., line 399, it is plain that it signifies the former.
