This lad (said she, and looked upon my hand,)
Shall not by sword, or poison come to's end,
Nor by the fever, dropsy, gout, or stone,
But he shall die by an eternal tongue;
Therefore, when he's grown up, if he be wise,
Let him avoid great talkers, I advise.'
By this time we were got to Westminster,
Where he by chance a trial had to hear,
And, if he were not there, his cause must fall:
’Sir, if you love me, step into the Hall
For one half-hour.''The devil take me now,'
Said I, 'if I know anything of law:
Besides, I told you whither I'm to go.'
Hereat he made a stand, pulled down his hat
Over his eyes, and mused in deep debate:
'I'm in a strait,' says he, 'what I shall do;
Whether forsake my business, sir, or you.'
'Me by all means,' say I.'No,' says my sot,
'I fear you'll take it ill, if I should do't;
I'm sure you will.''Not I, by all that's good,
But I’ve more breeding, than to be so rude.
Pray, don't neglect your own concerns for me;
Your cause, good sir!''My cause be damned,' says he,
'I value't less than your dear company.'
With this he came up to me, and would lead
The way; I, sneaking after, hung my head.
Next he begins to plague me with the plot,
Asks, whether I were known to Oates or not?
'Not I, thank Heaven! I no priest have been;
Have never Douay, nor St. Omer seen.'
'What think you, sir; will they the Joiner try?[1]
Will he die, think you?''Yes, most certainly.'
'I mean, be hanged.''Would thou wert so,' wished I!
- ↑ College, the ’Protestant Joiner,' who wrote a satirical ballad on the removal of the Parliament, and was tried and executed on the 31st August, 1581, two months after the date of this humorous paraphrase of Horace.
