Page:The Hind and Panther transvers'd to the story of the country mouse and the city mouse (1709).djvu/26

 And understanding grown, misunderstood, Burn'd Him to th' Pot, and sour'd his curdled Blood.

Johns.But sure this is a little prophane, Mr. Bayes.

Bayes.Not at all: Do's not Virgil bring in his God Vulcan working at the Anvil?

Johns.Ay Sir, but never thought his Hands the fittest to make a Pudding.

Bayes.Why do you imagine Him an Earthly dirty Blacksmith? 'Gad you make it prophane indeed. I'll tell you there's as much difference betwixt 'em, I'gad, as betwixt my Man and Milton's. But now, Gentlemen, the Plot thickens, here comes my t'other Mouse, the City Mouse.

A spotted Mouse, the prettiest next the White, Ah! were her Spots wash'd out, as pretty quite, With Phylacteries on her Forehead spread, Crozier in Hand, and Mitre on her Head. Three Steeples Argent on her Sable Shield, Liv'd in the City, and disdain'd the Field.

Johns.This is a glorious Mouse indeed! but, as you have dress'd her, we don't know whether she be Jew, Papist or Protestant.

Bayes.Let me embrace you, Mr. Johnson, for that; you take it right. She is a meer Babel of Religions, and therefore she's a spotted Mouse here, and will be a Mule presently. But to go on.

This Princess

Smith.What Princess, Mr. Bayes?

Bayes.Why this Mouse, for I forgot to tell you, an Old Lyon made a Left Hand Marriage with her Mother, and begot on her Body Elizabeth Schism, who was married to Timothy Sacriledg, and had Issue Graceless Heresy. Who all give the same Coat with their Mother, Three Steeples Argent, as I told you before.