Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/87

CANTO I.] As sure as if they knew the moment Of Native's birth, tell what will come on't. They'll feel the pulses of the stars, To find out agues, coughs, catarrhs: And tell what crisis does divine The rot in sheep, or mange in swine: In men, what gives or cures the itch, What made them cuckolds, poor, or rich; What gains, or loses, hangs, or saves, What makes men great, what fools, or knaves; But not what wise, for only of those The stars, they say, cannot dispose, No more than can the astrologians. There they say right, and like true Trojans. This Ralpho knew, and therefore took The other course, of which we spoke.
 * Thus was th' accomplish'd squire endued

With gifts and knowledge per'lous shrewd. Never did trusty squire with knight, Or knight with squire, jump more right. Their arms and equipage did fit, As well as virtues, parts, and wit: Their valours too, were of a rate, And out they sallied at the gate. Few miles on horseback had they jogged, But fortune unto them turn'd dogged; For they a sad adventure met, Of which anon we mean to treat: But ere we venture to unfold Achievements so resolved and bold, We should, as learned poets use, Invoke th' assistance of some Muse; However critics count it sillier, Than jugglers talking t' a familiar: We think 'tis no great matter which; They're all alike, yet we shall pitch