University of Virginia Library

Canto II.

Whilst such like Prayers keen Hunger would advance,
Fainting and Weakness threw him in a Trance:
Famine took pity on her careful Slave,
And kindly to him this Assistance gave.
She took the Figure of a thin parch'd Maid,
Who many Years had for a Husband staid;
And coming near to Hunger, thus she said:
My Darling Son, whilst Peace and Plenty smile,
And Happiness would over-run this Isle,
I joy to see, by this thy present care,
I've still some Friends remaining since the War:
In spite of us, A. does on Venison feed,
And Bread and Butter is for B. decreed;
C, D, combines with E, F's generous Soul,
To pass their Minutes with the sparkling Boul,
H, I's good Nature from his endless Store,
Is still conferring Blessings on the Poor,
For none, except 'tis K, regards them more.
L, M, N, O, P, Q, is vainly great,
And squanders half his Substance in a Treat:
Nice Eating by R, S, is understood,
T's Supper, tho' 'tis little, yet 'tis good;
U's Conversation's equal to his Wine,
You Sup with W, when e'er you Dine:
X, Y, and Z, hating to be confin'd,
Ramble to the next Eating-House they find.
Pleasant, good Humour'd, Beautiful and Gay,
Sometimes with Musick, and sometimes with Play,
Prolong their Pleasures till th' approaching Day.
And per se And alone, as Poets use,
The starving Dictates of my Rules pursues;
No swinging Coachman does afore him shine,
Nor has he any constant Place to Dine,
But all his Notions of a Meal are mine.
Haste, haste, to him, a Blessing give from me,
And bid him write sharp things on Furmetry:
But I would have thee to Coffedro go,
And let Tobacco too thy Business know;
With famous Teedrums in this Case advise,
Rely on Sagoe, who is always wise:
Amidst such Counsel banish all Despair,
Trust me, you shall succeed in this Affair:
That Project which they Furmetary call,
Before next Breakfast-time shall surely fall.
This said, she quickly vanish'd in a Wind,
Had long within her Body been confin'd:
Thus Hercules, when he his Mistress found,
Soon knew her by her Scent, and by her Sound.