Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/88

( 76 ). 1712.

S Thomas was cudgell'd one day by his wife, He took to the street, and fled for his life: Tom's three dearest friends came by in the squabble, And sav'd him at once from the shrew and the rabble; Then ventur'd to give him some sober advice— But Tom is a person of honour so nice, Too wise to take counsel, too proud to take warning, That he sent to all three a challenge next morning: Three duels he fought, thrice ventur'd his life; Went home, and was cudgell'd again by his wife.

CORINNA, 1712.

HIS day (the year I dare not tell) Apollo play'd the midwife's part; Into the world Corinna fell, And he endow'd her with his art. But Cupid with a Satyr comes; Both softly to the cradle creep; Both stroke her hands, and rub her gums, While the poor child lay fast asleep. Then Cupid thus: This little maid Of Love shall always speak and write. And I pronounce (the Satyr said) The world shall feel her scratch, and bite. Her talent she display'd betimes; For in twice twelve revolving moons, She seem'd to laugh and squall in rhymes, And all her gestures were lampoons. At