6
HOMER in a Nutshell.
With foreign Guegaws and domestick stor'd
I'll furnish out, believe me, such a Board,
As might transport, cou'd but the Trick be try'd,
Sardanapalus in a Mouses Hide.
Only be pleas'd (and make no more ado)
To board my Back instead of a Canow,
Securely so, my Lord, you'll ferry o'r,
And at the Pallace-stairs be set a'shoar.
I'll furnish out, believe me, such a Board,
As might transport, cou'd but the Trick be try'd,
Sardanapalus in a Mouses Hide.
Only be pleas'd (and make no more ado)
To board my Back instead of a Canow,
Securely so, my Lord, you'll ferry o'r,
And at the Pallace-stairs be set a'shoar.
Advising thus the Prince expos'd his Back,
And Russet rode as soon a-pick-a-pack.
He smirks, he cocks his Ears, and works his Tail,
O'rjoy'd to think how rarely he shall sail;
'Till his Canow plung'd all into the Deep,
And then the banter'd Knight begun to weep.
In rage he plucks his Furs, robustly spurns
With quiv'ring Haunches, while at Soul he burns.
He felt his Honour had receiv'd a Wound,
And wish'd but for the sight of solid Ground.
Much he resents his Fate, but more he fears:
Now with stiff Tail he rows, and now he steers.
Witness, Immortal Pow'rs, he cry'd, and Thou———
And then the Diver duck'd his Cargo low.
Restor'd to kindly Draughts of upper Air
He thus proceeds, Great Jove once proud to bear
Thy trembling Mistress on thy goodly Chine
Thro' frothy Tumors of the dancing Brine,
Behold!———But e'r that Word his Lips escap'd,
A painted Floater, formidably shap'd
And Russet rode as soon a-pick-a-pack.
He smirks, he cocks his Ears, and works his Tail,
O'rjoy'd to think how rarely he shall sail;
'Till his Canow plung'd all into the Deep,
And then the banter'd Knight begun to weep.
In rage he plucks his Furs, robustly spurns
With quiv'ring Haunches, while at Soul he burns.
He felt his Honour had receiv'd a Wound,
And wish'd but for the sight of solid Ground.
Much he resents his Fate, but more he fears:
Now with stiff Tail he rows, and now he steers.
Witness, Immortal Pow'rs, he cry'd, and Thou———
And then the Diver duck'd his Cargo low.
Restor'd to kindly Draughts of upper Air
He thus proceeds, Great Jove once proud to bear
Thy trembling Mistress on thy goodly Chine
Thro' frothy Tumors of the dancing Brine,
Behold!———But e'r that Word his Lips escap'd,
A painted Floater, formidably shap'd
Tra-
