Canto i.
LE LUTRIN.
9
Mean time came Sidrac in, whom Age made slow,
Limping upon his crutch, the News to know;
Full fourscore years, this Dotard in the Quire
Had practis'd; all the Customs of his Sire,
All Ancient usages he could Describe,
For he was Dad of all the singing Tribe;
Him time preferr'd, when waving many another,
From poor Church-warden to a Vestry-brother;
He by the Prelates pale and fading colour
Had quickly ghess't the nature of his dolour,
And sweetly smiling, he Addresses thus:
"And why, my Lord! so Pusillanimous?
"Leave to the Chanter fruitless moans and tears,
"Attend the wisdom of now fourscore years,
"Enricht with large experience of affairs;
"If of thy wrongs thou hopest for Repairs,
"Then lend thy Ear attentive, Sir, be wise,
"And put in practise what the Heavens Advise!
"At th' end o'th' Quire where now the Haughty Knave
"Enthron'd in borrowed lustre dares to Brave
"Thy Soveraignty, upon that Iron Grate
"Stood once a Pulpit square of Ancient date,
"Behind this Machine, cover'd as with a skreen,
"The Sneaking Chanter scarce could then be seen;
"Whil'st on the opposite Seat, our Dean did shine
"In Humane eyes with Majesty Divine;
"How't came about I know not, but some Devil
"I do conclude the Author of this Evil;
"Whether some envious hand had pluckt it down
"By Night; or Time, or rigid Fate had thrown
"The Structure from it's Base, yet this is true,
"One morn we found i'th Floor the Sacred Pew!
"The Chanter I suppose might Plot with Heaven;
"Be't so! we may with both in time be Even:
Limping upon his crutch, the News to know;
Full fourscore years, this Dotard in the Quire
Had practis'd; all the Customs of his Sire,
All Ancient usages he could Describe,
For he was Dad of all the singing Tribe;
Him time preferr'd, when waving many another,
From poor Church-warden to a Vestry-brother;
He by the Prelates pale and fading colour
Had quickly ghess't the nature of his dolour,
And sweetly smiling, he Addresses thus:
"And why, my Lord! so Pusillanimous?
"Leave to the Chanter fruitless moans and tears,
"Attend the wisdom of now fourscore years,
"Enricht with large experience of affairs;
"If of thy wrongs thou hopest for Repairs,
"Then lend thy Ear attentive, Sir, be wise,
"And put in practise what the Heavens Advise!
"At th' end o'th' Quire where now the Haughty Knave
"Enthron'd in borrowed lustre dares to Brave
"Thy Soveraignty, upon that Iron Grate
"Stood once a Pulpit square of Ancient date,
"Behind this Machine, cover'd as with a skreen,
"The Sneaking Chanter scarce could then be seen;
"Whil'st on the opposite Seat, our Dean did shine
"In Humane eyes with Majesty Divine;
"How't came about I know not, but some Devil
"I do conclude the Author of this Evil;
"Whether some envious hand had pluckt it down
"By Night; or Time, or rigid Fate had thrown
"The Structure from it's Base, yet this is true,
"One morn we found i'th Floor the Sacred Pew!
"The Chanter I suppose might Plot with Heaven;
"Be't so! we may with both in time be Even:
"But
