Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/139

CANTO II.] A thimble, bodkin, and a spoon, Did start up living men, as soon As in the furnace they were thrown, Just like the dragon's teeth b'ing sown. Then was the Cause all gold and plate, The brethren's off'rings consecrate. Like th' Hebrew calf, and down before it The saints fell prostrate, to adore it. So say the wicked—and will you Make that sarcasmous scandal true, By running after dogs and bears, Beasts more unclean than calves or steers? Have pow'rful Preachers ply'd their tongues, And laid themselves out, and their lungs; Us'd all means, both direct and sinister, I' th' power of gospel-preaching minister? Have they invented tones, to win The women, and make them draw in The men, as Indians with a female Tame elephant inveigle the male? Have they told Prov'dence what it must do, Whom to avoid, and whom to trust to? Discover'd th' enemy's design, And which way best to countermine? Prescrib'd what ways he hath to work, Or it will ne'er advance the Kirk?