21
And, ere the circling mug was drain'd,
Show'd what the prostrate sack contain'd.
Whilst two the witless clown amuse,
With merry tales and mournful news,
A third removes the sack unseen,
And soon sets free the guest within;
But lest the clown the trick should trace,
A well fed cur supplies the place.
The point clear'd up of what's to pay,
Our clown in peace pursued his way:
Arrived, he makes his awkward bow,
With many a wherefore and as how.
"Heaven bliss your honour many a year!
Look what a pig I've brought you here."
The sack untied without demur,
Forwith out gently crept the cur.
Both stood aghast with eager eyes,
And both, no doubt, look'd wondrous wise---
The clown, who saw the lawyer foam,
Swore 'twas a pig when brought from home;
And wond'ring at the queer disaster,
In haste return'd to tell his master.
Well pleased to see him take the bait,
The wags his quick return await;
What peals of noisy mirth prevail,
To hear him tell the mystic tale!---
From them to Cecil he repairs,
To her the strange event declares:
Meantime the wags, to end the joke,
Replace the pig within its pock.
