Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/78

24 For as of vagabonds we say, That they are ne'er beside their way: "Whate'er men speak by this new light, Still they are sure to be i' th' right. 'Tis a dark-lanthorn of the spirit, Which none see by but those that bear it: A light that falls down from on high, For spiritual trades to cozen by: An ignis fatuus, that bewitches, And leads men into pools and ditches, To make them dip themselves, and sound For Christendom in dirty pond; To dive, like wild-fowl, for salvation, And fish to catch regeneration. This light inspires, and plays upon The nose of saint, like bagpipe drone, And speaks through hollow empty soul, As through a trunk, or whisp'ring hole, Such language as no mortal ear But spiritual eaves-droppers can hear. So Phœbus, or some friendly muse, Into small poets song infuse; Which they at second-hand rehearse, Thro' reed or bag-pipe, verse for verse. Thus Ralph became infallible, As three or four legg'd oracle, The ancient cup, or modern chair; Spoke truth point blank, though unaware.