Page:The Village - Crabbe (1783).djvu/35

 From whom, should chance again convey her down, The Peer's disease in turn attacks the Clown.

Hear too the 'Squire, or 'squire-like farmer, talk, How round their regions nightly pilferers walk; How from their ponds the fish are borne, and all The rip'ning treasures from their lofty wall; How their maids languish, while their men run loose, And leave them scarce a damsel to seduce.

And hark! the riots of the Green begin, That sprang at first from yonder noisy inn; What time the weekly pay was vanish'd all, And the slow hostess scor'd the threat'ning wall; What time they ask'd, their friendly feast to close, One cup, and that juft serves to make them foes; When blows ensue that break the arm of Toil, And batter'd faces end the boobies' broil. Save