Page:Hudibras - Volume 2 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/44

234 By no means, Sir, quoth Sidrophel, The stars your coming did foretell; I did expect you here, and knew, Before you spake, your business too. Quoth Hudibras, Make that appear, And I shall credit whatsoe'er You tell me after, on your word, Howe'er unlikely, or absurd. You are in love, Sir, with a widow, Quoth he, that does not greatly heed you, And for three years has rid your wit And passion, without drawing bit; And now your business is to know If you shall carry her or no. Quoth Hudibras, You're in the right, But how the devil you come by't I can't imagine; for the stars, I'm sure, can tell no more than a horse: Nor can their aspects, tho' you pore Your eyes out on 'em, tell you more Than th' oracle of sieve and sheers, That turns as certain as the spheres; But if the Devil's of your counsel, Much may be done, my noble donzel;