Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/155

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JOHN BULL.
149

mony would be a most intolerable state; and that a wife's virtue ought to be the result of her own reason, and not of her husband's government; for my part, I would scorn a husband that would be jealous, if he saw a fellow a bed with me[1]." All this while, John's blood boiled in his veins: he was now confirmed in all his suspicions; jade, bitch, and whore were the best words that John gave her[2]. Things went from better to worse, till Mrs. Bull aimed a knife[3] at John, though John threw a bottle[4] at her head very brutally indeed: and after this there was nothing but confusion; bottles, glasses, spoons, plates, knives, forks, and dishes flew about like dust[5]; the result of which was, that Mrs. Bull received a bruise[6] in her right side, of which she died half a year after. The bruise imposthumated, and afterward turned to a stinking ulcer, which made every body shy to come near her; yet she wanted not the help of many able physicians, who attended very diligently, and did what men of skill could do: but all to no purpose, for her condition was now quite desperate, all regular physicians, and her nearest relations, having given her over.

  1. These proceedings caused a great ferment in the nation.
  2. The house complained of being aspersed and vilified; opprobrious terms were used by both parties, and one had recourse to
  3. military power, because it was assaulted by the other with
  4. tumult and riot.
  5. The confusion every day increased; the whig or low church party in the house of commons began to decline. After much contention and debate
  6. the Parliament was prorogued,
L 3
CHAP.