Page:The Hind and Panther transvers'd to the story of the country mouse and the city mouse (1709).djvu/34

 As I remember said the sober Mouse, I've heard much talk of the Wits Coffee-House. Thither, says Brindle, thou shalt go, and see Priests sipping Coffee, Sparks and Poets Tea; Here rugged Freeze, there Quality well drest, These baffling the Grand-Seigniour; those the Test. And hear shrew'd Guesses made, and Reasons given, That humane Laws were never made in Heaven. But above all, what shall oblige thy Sight, And fill thy Eye-Balls with a vast Delight; Is the Poetic Judge of sacred Wit, Who do's i' th' Darkness of his Glory sit. And as the Moon who first receives the Light, With which she makes these neither Regions bright; So does he shine, reflecting from afar, The Rays he borrow'd from a better Star: For rules which from Corneille and Rapin flow, Admir'd by all the scribling Herd below. From French Tradition while he does dispence, Unerring Truths, 'tis Schism, a damn'd Offence, To question his, or trust your private Sense.

Hah! Is not that right, Mr. Johnson? Gad forgive me he is fast asleep! Oh the damn'd Stupidity of this Age! asleep! Well, Sir, Since you'r so drousy, your humble Servant.

Johns.Nay, Pray Mr. Bayes, Faith I heard you all the while. The White Mouse.

Bayes.The White Mouse! ay, ay, I thought how you heard me. Your Servant, Sir, your Servant.

Johns.Nay, Dear Bayes, Faith I beg thy Pardon, I was up late last Night, Prithee lend me a little Snuff, and go on.