And that both are so near of kin,
And like in all, as well as sin,
That, put 'em in a bag and shake 'em,
Yourself o' th' sudden would mistake 'em, 840
And not know which is which, unless
You measure by their wickedness;
For 'tis not hard t' imagine whether
O' th' two is worst, tho' I name neither.
Quoth Hudibras, Thou offer'st much, 845
But art not able to keep touch.
Mira de lente,[1] as 'tis i' th' adage,
Id est, to make a leek a cabbage;
Thou canst at best but overstrain
A paradox, and th' own hot brain;[2] 850
For what can synods have at all
With bear that's analogical?
Or what relation has debating
Of church-affairs with bear-baiting?
A just comparison still is 855
Of things ejusdem generis:
And then what genus rightly doth
Include, and comprehend them both? [3]
If animal, both of its may
As justly pass for bears as they; 860
For we are animals no less,
Although of diff'rent specieses.[4]
But, Ralpho, this is no fit place,
Nor time, to argue out the case:
For now the field is not far off, 865
Where we must give the world a proof
- ↑ Great cry and little wool, as they say when any one talks much, and proves nothing.
- ↑ The following lines are substituted, in some editions, for 849 and 850:—Such a bull is explained by the proverb, "As wise as Waltham's Calf, that ran nine miles to suck a bull." See Handbook of Proverbs, p. 322.
Thou wilt at best but suck a bull,
Or shear swine, all cry and no wool; - ↑ The first and second editions read:
Compr'hend them inclusive both.
- ↑ The additional syllable is humorous, and no doubt intended.
