Save short Excursions, all was at the Bell. But, when the Landlord would at Night repair To the fair Wife and to the favourite Chair, He found the Chair wherein he sang and drank Still near[er] plac’d, and fill’d by Mr Frank; 180 And from such Trifle—strange as it appears— Harry was harried by an Husband’s fears. He wish’d that Joseph by some lucky blow Might lay the Hero of the people low; It would have pleas’d him to have told his Wife How the poor youth had struggled for his life. For Harry’s Malice was of fatal kind; He had no milky Softness in his Mind; His Love and Favour from his Hatred rose; His Friend was help’d, his Rival to oppose. 190 Muse of my Choice and Mistress of my Time, Who leav’st the gay, the grand, and the sublime— These who without an Atmosphere are known, And paintest Creatures just as they are shown: Say, can’st thou ken the Science of the Fist And know the Language of the Pugilist? Not so, alas! What Glory had we found, Could’st thou have sweetly sung of every Round? Well! but we saw, and briefly can declare, The Blows’ Effect, if not what Blows they were. 200 First, strong in Ale and Anger Frank appear’d, Already Conqueror by the Rabble cheer’d; Who, when the weaker Man is driv’n about And Soul and Body hurt, insulting shout; When the elated Victor stares around, His Ears are tickled with th’ applauding sound; [While] the poor Wretch who sobs upon the Earth Hears the unfeeling Rabble’s mad’ning Mirth. But Joseph, patient and with patience strong, Felt not the Insult, nor perceiv’d it long. 210 Warm’d in the war, the clamour he disdain’d, And half the Victory by his Temper gain’d. He saw the rage of youth; he saw the pride, And felt that both would lessen or subside; His Tendons stiff grew pliant by the use That relaxation in the young produce; And, when he grew more eager for the fight, It did not yield his Rival such delight. When he could bravely in the Action mix, He backward drew with scientific Tricks, 220 And watched and waited, till in Harry’s face He saw a Smile betok’ning his Disgrace. And now had Victory crown’d the juster Cause, And patient Virtue gain’d the fond Applause— For even Virtue when it meets Success Will Crowds Applaud, altho’ they love it less. A Round was over, and our Soldier found No Inclination for another Round; But Shame compell’d and Hatred, and he flew To end his work, and was successful too. 230 By one dread blow on his unguarded Side Poor Joseph fell, and, “he is gone,” they cry’d. “Foul and dishonest!” said the Friends of Truth; “Lawful and fair!” th’ Abettors of the Youth. Or fair or foul, the now unhappy Man Was lost, and the victorious Champion ran, He knew not where, the army in his Sight, And Susan fond companion of his flight. Just to his Wish and in his Way, the Maid