Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 8.djvu/171

Rh Thus at the bar the booby Bettesworth, Though half a crown o'erpays his sweat's worth, Who knows in law nor text nor margent, Calls Singleton his brother sergeant. And thus fanatick saints, though neither in Doctrine nor discipline our brethren, Are brother protestants and Christians, As much as Hebrews and Philistines: But in no other sense, than nature Has made a rat our fellow-creature. Lice from your body suck their food; But is a louse your flesh and blood? Though born of human filth and sweat, it As well may say man did beget it. And maggots in your nose and chin As well may claim you for their kin. Yet criticks may object, why not? Since lice are brethren to a Scot: Which made our swarm of sects determine Employments for their brother vermin. But be they English, Irish, Scottish, What protestant can be so sottish, While o'er the church these clouds are gathering, To call a swarm of lice his brethren? As Moses, by divine advice, In Egypt turn'd the dust to lice; And as our sects, by all descriptions, Have hearts more harden'd than Egyptians; As from the trodden dust they spring, And, turn'd to lice, infest the king: For pity's sake, it would be just, A rod should turn them back to dust. Let folks in high or holy stations Be proud of owning such relations;. VIII.