Toosoon Aurora for our spark appeared;
          Too soon for her so thoroughly revered;
          Said he, the poison, that can life devour,
          Requires repeated acts to crush its pow’r. 
          The foll’wing days our youthful am’rous pair
          Found opportunities for pleasing fare. 
          The husband scarcely could himself contain,
          So anxiously he wished his aim to gain.

          Thelover from the belle at length arose,
          And hastened to his house to seek repose;
          But scarcely had he placed himself in bed,
          When our good husband’s footsteps thither led;
          He, to the spark, related with delight,
          How mandrake-juice succeeded in the night. 
          Said he, at first beside the bed I crept,
          And listened if the miller near her kept,
          Or whether he to converse was inclined,
          And ev’ry way to act as was designed. 
          I then my wife was anxious to address,
          And whispered that she should the youth caress;
          Nor dread too much the spoiling of her charms: 
          Indeed ’twas all embarrassing alarms. 
          Don’t think, said I, that either can deceive;
          I ev’ry thing shall hear, you may believe;
          Know, Nicia is a man, who well may say,
          He’s trusted without measure ev’ry day.

          Prayrecollect my very life ’s at stake,
          And do not many difficulties make. 
          Convince thereby how much your spouse you love;
          ’Twill pleasure doubtless give the pow’rs above. 
          But should the blockhead any how prove shy
          Send instantly to me; I shall be nigh;
          I’m going now to rest; by no means fail;
          We’ll soon contrive and ev’ry way prevail. 
          But there was no necessity for this;
          ’Tis pretty clear that nothing went amiss. 
          In fact the rustick liked the business well,
          And seemed unwilling to resign the belle,
          I pity him, and much lament his lot;
          But—­he must die and soon will be forgot: 
          A fig for those who used to crack their jest;
          In nine months’ time a child will be the test.

The Rhemese

          Nocity I to Rheims would e’er prefer: 
          Of France the pride and honour I aver;
          The Holy Ampoule * and delicious wine,
          Which ev’ry one regards as most divine,
          We’ll set apart, and other objects take: 
          The beauties round a paradise might make! 
          I mean not tow’rs nor churches, gates, nor streets;
          But charming belles with soft enchanting sweets: 
          Such oft among the fair Rhemese we view: 
          Kings might be proud those graces to pursue.