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The Works of Capt. Alex. Radcliffe

In one Volume ... The Third Edition Augmented [by Alexander Radcliffe]

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Had I believ'd report, that said
These Rhymes by Doctor Wild were made,
I long before this time had sent
Some symptoms of our discontent.
For since y'have left off being witty,
Your humble thanks deserves our pitty.
I can't imagine what you'l do,
Your Muse turn'd Non-conformist too?
And will not easily dispence
With the old way of writing sence!
She hath receiv'd, if that be true,
As much Indulgence then as you.

82

Surely (Dear Sir) you did not pray
Since you convers'd with Tycho Brah.
Jove play'd the wag, and Luna pist,
Do these things with Free-Grace consist?
Celestial Signs serve to express
The good man's heav'nly mindedness;
There are but Twelve of them in Heaven,
Yet he'll name one by one eleven;
And if you're not in too much hast,
'Tis ten to one, he names the last.
You had been horribly put to't,
If Sagittarius could not shoot:
Aquarius and the Smyrna Fleet,
I'll swear, a very good conceit.
But, Doctor, let us know, why will ye
Thus vex your self at William Lilly?
'Tis true, he could not find it out,
That March would bring all this about;

83

But on that day you well might gather
That there would be some change of weather:
And change of weather in a Nation
Portends a kind of alteration.