And glittering pewter ftanding on the shelf.
Then, after fome gruff mutt'ring with himself,
Cry'd, prithee, Jolt, how came that fkillet thine ?
You know as well as I, quoth Folt, 't'en't mine
But I'll afk Nan. "Twas done; Nan told the matter
In truth as 'twas; then cry'd, You've got the better:
For tell me, deareft, whether you would chuse
To be a gainer by me, or to lose.
As for our neighbour Clod, this I dare fay,
We've beauty and a fkillet more than they.
O M Banks by native industry was taught
The various arts how fishes might be caught;
Sometimes with trembling reed and fingle hair,
And bait conceal'd, he'd for their death prepare,
With melancholy thoughts and downcaft eyes,
Expecting 'till deceit had gain'd its prize.
Sometimes in riv'let quick and water clear
They'd meet a fate more gen'rous from his spear.
To baskets oft he'd pliant oziers turn,
Where they might entrance find, but no return.
His net well pois'd with lead he'd sometimes throw,
Encircling thus his captives all below.
AROM London, Paul the carrier coming down
To Wantage, meets a beauty of the town;
They both accoft with, falutation pretty,
As how doft Paul? Thank ye, and how doft Betty?
Did'ft fee our Jack, nor fifter? No, you've feen,
I warrant, none but those who saw the Queen.
Many words spoke in jest, says Paul, are true,
I came from Windfor, and if some folks knew
As much as I, it might be well for you.
Lord, Paul! what is't? Why give me fomething for't,
This kifs, and this. The matter's then in short,
The parliament have made a proclamation,
Which will this week be sent all round the nation;
That maids with little mouths do all prepare
On Sunday next to come before the Mayor,
And that all batchelors be likewise there.
For maids with little mouths fhall, if they please,
From these young men chufe two apiece.
Betty with bridled chin extends her face,
And then contracts her lips with fimpr'ing grace,
Cries, hem! pray what must all the huge ones do
For husbands, when we little mouths have two?
Hold, not fo faft, cries he, pray pardon me,
Maids with huge gaping wide mouths must have three.
Betty diftorts her face with hideous fquaul,
And mouth of a foot wide begins to bawl,
Oh! Ho! Is't fo? The cafe is alter'd, Paul.
Is that the point? I wish the three were ten,
I warrant F'll find mouth, if they'll find men.
But when he would a quick deftruction make,
And from afar much larger booty take,
He'd thro' the ftream, where most defcending, fet
From fide to fide his ftrong capacious net;
And then his ruftick crew with mighty poles,
Would drive his prey out from their ouzy holes,
And fo purfue 'em down the rolling flood,
Gafping for breath, and almoft choak'd with mud
'Till they, of farther paffage quite bereft,
Were in the mash with gills entangl'd left.
Trot, who liv'd down the stream, ne'er thought his Beer
Was good, unless he had his water clear;
He goes to Bank and thus begins his tale:
Lord! if ye knew but how the people rail!
They cannot boil, nor wash, nor rinse, they say,
With water fometimes ink, and sometimes whey,
According as you meet with mud or clay.
Befides, my wife these fix months could not brew,
And now the blame of this all's laid on you;
For it will be a difmal thing to think
How we old Trots must live and have no drink :
Therefore, I pray, fome other method take
Of fishing, were it only for our fake.
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