CHAUCER's CHARACTERS. 'T WAS when the fields imbibe the vernal fhowr's, And Venus paints her month with early flow'rs: When Sol, diffufing genial warmth around, Then nature fmiles; then Devotees engage, There at the ** Martyr's fhrine a cure they find, In Southwark at the Talbot-Inn I lay, Refolv'd with zeal my journey to begin; With no small off'ring to St. Thomas' shrine. For Priests with empty thanks are never shamm'd; The rich buy heav'n, and ragged rogues are damn'd. Full nine and twenty more, a jovial crew, (Mine hoft was ravish'd at a fight fo new) When most with care had feen their horses fed, With each I talk'd, and each by name could call, There we refolv'd with speed to make our way, Thomas Becket, But But hold a while; 'twere requifite you knew, The Knight. AKnight there was, whofe early youth had shown His love to arms, and paffion for renown. Courteous and affable; of honour nice; A friend to truth, a foe to ev'ry vice. He pafs'd the trenches firft, and fcal'd the town. Much |