Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/146

136 I have no present business to attend, At least, which I'll not quit for such a friend. Tell me not of the distance; for, I vow, I'll cut the Line, double the Cape for you; Good faith, I will not leave you; make no words; Go you to Lambeth? Is it to my lord's? His steward I most intimately know, Have often drunk with his comptroller too.' By this I found my wheedle would not pass, But rather served my sufferings to increase; And seeing 'twas in vain to vex, or fret, I patiently submitted to my fate. Straight he begins again: 'Sir, if you knew My worth but half so thoroughly as I do; I'm sure you would not value any friend You have, like me; but that I wont commend Myself, and my own talents, I might tell How many ways to wonder I excel. None has a greater gift in poetry, Or writes more verses with more ease than I; I'm grown the envy of the men of wit, I killed even Rochester with grief and spite; Next for the dancing part I all surpass, St. André never moved with such a grace; And 'tis well known, whene'er I sing or set, Humphreys, nor Blow, could ever match me yet.' Here I got room to interrupt: ’Have you A mother, sir, or kindred living now?' 'Not one: they are all dead.''Troth, so I guessed: 'The happier they,' said I, 'who are at rest! Poor I am only left unmurdered yet; Haste, I beseech you, and despatch me quite; For I am well convinced, my time is come: When I was young, a gipsy told my doom: