With ready salver in my hand, And seem to understand no more Than just what's called for out to pour, I hear and mark the courtly phrases, And all the elegance that passes; Disputes maintained without digression, With ready wit and fine expression; The laws of true politeness stated, And what good breeding is, debated. This happy hour elapsed and gone, The time for drinking tea comes on, The kettle filled, the water boiled, The cream provided, biscuits piled, And lamp prepared, I straight engage The Lilliputian equipage, Of dishes, saucers, spoons and tongs, And all the et cetera which thereto belongs; Which ranged in order and decorum I carry in and set before 'em, Then pour the green or bohea out, And as commanded hand about." After the early dinner and "dish" of tea, his mistress goes out visiting in the evening, and Dodsley precedes her with a flambeau. Another fancy was entitled "The Devil's a Dunce," was directed against the Pope.[11] Two friends apply to him for absolution, one rich and the other poor. The rich man obtained the pardon, but the poor sued in vain, the Pope replying:-- "I cannot save you if I would, Nor would I do it if I could." "Home goes the man in deep despair, And died soon after he came there, And went 'tis said to hell: but sure He was not there for being poor! But long he had not been below Before he saw his friend come too. At this he was in great surprise And scarcely could believe his eyes, 'What! friend,' said he, 'are you come too? I thought the Pope had pardoned you.' 'Yes,' quoth the man, 'I thought so too, But I was by the Pope trepanned, _The devil couldn't read his hand_.'"