Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/205

Or t'other, who the flaming deluge 'scaped,
When Sodom's lechers angels would have raped;
How rich he is?' must the first question be;
Next for his manners and integrity:
They'll ask, 'What equipage he keeps, and what
He's reckoned worth in money and estate,
Whether for shrieve he has been known to fine,
And with how many dishes he does dine?'
For look what cash a person has in store,
Just so much credit has he, and no more.
Should I upon a thousand Bibles swear,
And call each saint throughout the calendar
To vouch my oath, it wont be taken here;
The poor slight heaven and thunderbolts, they think,
And heaven itself does at such trifles wink.
⁠'Besides, what store of gibing scoffs are thrown
On one that's poor and meanly clad in town;
Of his apparel seem but overworn,
His stocking out at heel, or breeches torn,
One takes occasion his ripped shoe to flout,
And swears 't has been at prison-gates hung out;
Another shrewdly jeers his coarse cravat,
Because himself wears point; a third his hat,
And most unmercifully shows his wit,
If it be old, or does not cock aright,
Nothing in poverty so ill is borne,
As its exposing men to grinning scorn,
To be by tawdry coxcombs jeered upon,
And made the jesting stock of each buffoon.
Turn out there, friend!' cries one at church, 'the pew
Is not for such mean scoundrel curs as you;
'Tis for your betters kept;' belike some sot
That knew no father, was on bulks begot,
But now is raised to an estate and pride,
By having the kind proverb on his side;
Let Gripe and Cheatwell take their places there,
And Dash, the scrivener's gaudy sparkish heir,