Canto i.
LE LUTRIN.
5
"And am I Discord still? who any more
"With Incense will my Sacred Shrines Adore?
Thus spoke the Hagg! And in a trice unseen
Of an Old Chanter takes the shape and meen:
A corner'd Cap her Snake-wigg'd Head did cover,
Her rich Face sparkling Rubies studded over,
Her Nose, emboss'd with Carbuncles Divine
Before her steps did like a Flamboy shine;
Accoutred thus, with Red-coat Soldiers pace
Haughty she march't to find the Prelates Grace.
A Stately Bed, the Posts most richly Gilt,
Cover'd with Sumptuous Crimson Damask Quilt,
Enclos'd with Double Curtains, scorning light
Of mid-day Sun, and counterfeiting Night,
Stood close in an Appartment like a Cell
Where Sweet Repose and Silence chose to Dwell;
The Tester was all fac'd with Looking-Glass,
The rare Invention of this Golden Ass,
Contriv'd mysteriously that he might peep
And see how Blithe he lookt, when fast a-sleep.
Here lay the Mitred Head! in slumber drown'd,
Whilst gentle fumes his Dreaming Temples Crown'd;
A Sprightly Air adorns his Youthful Face,
His double Chin hangs down with goodly Grace;
The Claret shin'd through the transparent Skin,
A broad conjecture where he late had been;
And his Fat comely Corps, so thick and short
Made the Soft Pillows groan under his Port:
Here, in Sack-posset arm'd, without repining
He waits in patience the blest hour of Dining.
The Goddess entring, saw the Table spread,
And all within doors rarely ordered,
Then Softly marching to his lodging, took him
Profoundly napping, and thus she bespoke him.
"With Incense will my Sacred Shrines Adore?
Thus spoke the Hagg! And in a trice unseen
Of an Old Chanter takes the shape and meen:
A corner'd Cap her Snake-wigg'd Head did cover,
Her rich Face sparkling Rubies studded over,
Her Nose, emboss'd with Carbuncles Divine
Before her steps did like a Flamboy shine;
Accoutred thus, with Red-coat Soldiers pace
Haughty she march't to find the Prelates Grace.
A Stately Bed, the Posts most richly Gilt,
Cover'd with Sumptuous Crimson Damask Quilt,
Enclos'd with Double Curtains, scorning light
Of mid-day Sun, and counterfeiting Night,
Stood close in an Appartment like a Cell
Where Sweet Repose and Silence chose to Dwell;
The Tester was all fac'd with Looking-Glass,
The rare Invention of this Golden Ass,
Contriv'd mysteriously that he might peep
And see how Blithe he lookt, when fast a-sleep.
Here lay the Mitred Head! in slumber drown'd,
Whilst gentle fumes his Dreaming Temples Crown'd;
A Sprightly Air adorns his Youthful Face,
His double Chin hangs down with goodly Grace;
The Claret shin'd through the transparent Skin,
A broad conjecture where he late had been;
And his Fat comely Corps, so thick and short
Made the Soft Pillows groan under his Port:
Here, in Sack-posset arm'd, without repining
He waits in patience the blest hour of Dining.
The Goddess entring, saw the Table spread,
And all within doors rarely ordered,
Then Softly marching to his lodging, took him
Profoundly napping, and thus she bespoke him.
"Sleep'st
