Page:Hudibras - Volume 2 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/41

CANTO III. And can no less than the world's end, Or nature's funeral, portend. With that, he fell again to pry Thro' perspective more wistfully, When, by mischance, the fatal string, That kept the tow'ring fowl on wing, Breaking, down fell the star. Well shot, Quoth Whachum, who right wisely thought He'd levell'd at a star, and hit it; But Sidrophel, more subtle-witted, Cry'd out. What horrible and fearful Portent is this, to see a star fall! It threatens nature, and the doom Will not be long before it come! When stars do fall, 'tis plain enough The day of judgment's not far off; As lately 'twas reveal'd to Sedgwick, And some of ns find out by magick: Then, since the time we have to live In this world's shorten'd, let us strive To make our best advantage of it, And pay our losses with our profit. This feat fell out not long before The Knight, upon the forenam'd score, In quest of Sidrophel advancing, Was now in prospect of the mansion;