My lady could not choose but wonder:
"Captain, I fear you've made some blunder:
But pray, to-morrow go at ten,
I'll try his manners once again;
If rudeness be th' effect of knowledge,
"My son shall never see a college."
The captain was a man of reading,
And much good sense, as well as breeding;
Who, loath to blame, or to incense,
Said little in his own defence.
Next day another message brought:
The doctor, frighten'd at his fault,
Is dress'd, and stealing through the crowd.
Now pale as death, then blush'd and bow'd,
Panting — and faltering — humm'd and ha'd,
"Her ladyship was gone abroad;
The captain too — he did not know
Whether he ought to stay or go;"
Begg'd she'd forgive him. In conclusion,
My lady, pitying his confusion,
Call'd her good nature to relieve him;
Told him, she thought she might believe him;
And would not only grant his suit,
But visit him, and eat some fruit;
Provided, at a proper time
He told the real truth in rhyme:
'Twas to no purpose to oppose,
She'd hear of no excuse in prose.
The doctor stood not to debate,
Glad to compound at any rate;
So, bowing, seemingly complied;
Though, if he durst, he had denied.
But first, resolv'd to show his taste,
Was too refin'd to give a feast:
