Page:Hudibras - Volume 2 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/13

CANTO III.] He still draws after him his chain: So tho' my ancle she has quitted, My heart continues still committed; And like a bail'd and mainpriz'd lover, Altho' at large I am bound over: And when I shall appear in court To plead my cause, and answer for't, Unless the judge do partial prove, What will become of me and love? For if in our account we vary, Or but in circumstance miscarry: Or if she put me to strict proof, And make me pull my doublet off, To show, by evident record, Writ on my skin, I've kept my word, How can I e'er expect to have her, Having demurr'd unto her favour? But faith, and love, and honour lost. Shall be reduc'd t' a knight o' th' post: Beside, that stripping may prevent What I'm to prove by argument, And justify I have a tail. And that way, too, my proof may fail. Oh! that I could enucleate, And solve the problems of my fate; Or find, by necromantic art, How far the dest'nies take my part; For if I were not more than certain To win and wear her, and her fortune,