If such inclemency in Heav'n can dwell,
Yet why must unoffending Argos feel 770
The vengeance due to this unlucky steel?
On me, on me, let all thy fury fall,
Nor err from me, since I deserve it all:
Unless our desert cities please thy sight,
Or funeral flames reflect a grateful light.
Discharge thy shafts, this ready bosom
rend,

And to the shades a ghost triumphant send :

But for my country let my fate atone;
Be mine the vengeance, as the crime my

own.

'Merit distress'd impartial Heav'n re

lieves :

780

Unwelcome life relenting Phoebus gives; For not the vengeful Power, that glow'd with rage,

With such amazing virtue durst engage. The clouds dispers'd, Apollo's wrath expired,

And from the wond'ring God th' unwilling youth retired.

Thence we these altars in his temple raise, And offer annual honours, feasts, and praise;

These solemn feasts propitious Phœbus please;

These honours, still renew'd, his ancient wrath appease.

'But say, illustrious guest! (adjoin'd the King)

790

What name you bear, from what high race you spring?

The noble Tydeus stands confess'd, and known

Our neighbour prince, and heir of Calydon: Relate your fortunes, while the friendly

night

And silent hours to various talk invite.' The Theban bends on earth his gloomy

CHAUCER

WOMEN ben full of ragerie,

Yet swinken not sans secresie.
Thilke Moral shall ye understond,
From schoole-boy's Tale of fayre Irelond;
Which to the Fennes hath him betake,
To filche the grey Ducke fro the Lake.
Right then there passen by the way
His Aunt, and eke her Daughters tway.
Ducke in his trowses hath he hent,
Not to be spied of ladies gent.

But ho! our Nephew,' crieth one;
'Ho!' quoth another, Cozen John ;'
And stoppen, and lough, and callen out
This sely Clerke full low doth lout:
They asken that, and talken this,

10

Lo, here is Coz, and here is Miss.' But, as he glozeth with speeches soote, The Ducke sore tickleth his Erse-roote: Fore-piece and buttons all-to-brest, Forth thrust a white neck and red crest. 20 'Te-hee,' cried ladies; clerke nought spake;

Miss stared, and grey Ducke crieth 'quaake.'

'O Moder, Moder!' quoth the Daughter,
Be thilke same thing Maids longen a'ter?
Bette is to pine on coals and chalke,
Then trust on Mon whose yerde can talke.'

A brandy and tobacco shop is neare,
And hens, and dogs, and hogs, are feeding
by ;

And here a sailor's jacket hangs to dry.
At ev'ry door are sunburnt matrons seen,
Mending old nets to catch the scaly fry;
Now singing shrill, and scolding eft be
tween ;

Scolds answer foul-mouth'd Scolds; bac neighbourhood I ween.

The snappish cur (the passengers' annoy) Close at my heel with yelping treble flies; The whimp'ring Girl, and hoarser scream ing Boy,

Join to the yelping treble shrilling cries; The scolding Quean to louder notes doth rise, And her full pipes those shrilling cries confound;

To her full pipes the grunting hog replies; The grunting hogs alarm the neighbours round,

And Curs, Girls, Boys, and Scolds, in the deep bass are drown'd.