University of Virginia Library

Since all the Actions of the far-fam'd Men
Of Athens, Rome, and Sparta, by the Pen
Of learned Plutarch are distinctly known,
For which he is unequal'd in Renown:
Why may not I, by his Success inspir'd,
Tread in his Steps, and be as much admir'd?
My Heroes are unquestionably brave,
Have Valour to o'ercome, and Mercy have to save.
For Birth and Quality they yield to none,
Should they from Jove descend to fill a Throne:
For who is ignorant throughout the Land
Of famous Bedloe, or the more fam'd Southerland?
The antient Britain's proud to own the one,
And fertile Scotland from the frozen Zone,
Proclaims she's prouder of her Hero's Birth,
Than were she Mistress of the whole known Earth.
These Heroes both did for the Wars prepare,
In France and Flanders both reap'd equal Share
Of Glory and Renown.—

But hold! before my Muse leads me too far,
I of their Education must declare.
They are alike in the Laconick Law,
Hardly bred up to Want, and lie in Straw:
These hopeful Youths their Breeding underwent
With Constancy, and fasted with Content;
But as in Sparta, by Lycurgus' Rule,
The Youths had nought to eat but what they stole,
And who was caught was punish'd for the Fool:
So they in unknown Paths their Lives did lead,
And for their bare Subsistence stole their Bread.
In equal Ballance yet hung their Renown,
But now the British Hero I must own;
Must vail his Bonnet to the nobler Scot,
And in a

A Prison.

Naskin mourn his fatal Lot.
While Industry and want of Clothes conspir'd,
To make our Northern Hero more admir'd.
Whate'er he undertook, prov'd fortunate,
He often stole, but never yet was caught.
With Art he'd lift a Shop, could file a Cly,
Or give a Coach the Ambiguity.
And that his Vertues you may throughly know,
By what unpractis'd Ways he stole, and how;
Upon the lofty Walls of Lincolns-Inn,
Coming from Holbourn, I have often seen
A Tongs, which closely lay at the Command
Of this our Hero's most unerring Hand:
And when a flutt'ring Spark did walk that way,
It did its Master tenderly obey,
And snapt the Hat and Perriwig for a Prey.
Or when a gentle Cully he did spy,
Equip me with a George, he strait wou'd cry,
Or d---mee, Sir, I'll clap you thro the Thigh.
Thus with a thousand ways that I could name,
By which he earn'd his Bread, and purchas'd Fame,
He does at last most splendidly resort
Unto his proper Sphere, the glorious Court;
Where without Envy at the Helm he'll sit,
Advanc'd as much for's Beauty, as his Wit:
Yet can't forget his old delightful way,
But must cry,—Jack, what have you stole to-day?