With that he fell again to pry. Thro' perspective more wistfully, When by mischance the fatal string, 465 That kept the tow'ring fowl on wing, Breaking, down fell the star. Well shot, Quoth WHACHUM, who right wisely thought H' had levell'd at a star, and hit it But SIDROPHEL, more subtle-witted, 470 Cry'd out, What horrible and fearful Portent is this, to see a star fall? It threatens nature, and the doom Will not be long before it come When stars do fail, 'tis plain enough, 475 The day of judgment's not far off; <f> As lately 'twas reveal'd to SEDGWICK, And some of us find out by magick. Then since the time we have to live In this world's shorten'd, let us strive 480 To make our best advantage of it, And pay our losses with our profit. This feat fell out not long before The Knight, upon the forenam'd score, In quest of SIDROPHEL advancing, 485 Was now in prospect of the mansion Whom he discov'ring, turn'd his glass, And found far off, 'twas HUDIBRAS. WHACHUM, (quoth he), look yonder, some To try or use our art are come 490 The one's the learned Knight: seek out, And pump 'em what they come about. WHACHUM advanc'd, with all submissness, T' accost em, but much more their bus'ness. He held a stirrup, while the Knight 495 From leathern bare-bones did alight And taking from his hand the bridle, Approach'd the dark Squire to unriddle. He gave him first the time o' th' day, And welcom'd him, as he might say: 500 He ask'd him whence he came, and whither Their bus'ness lay? Quoth RALPHO, Hither. Did you not lose? Quoth RALPHO, Nay. Quoth WHACHUM, Sir, I meant your way! Your Knight -- Quoth RALPHO, Is a lover, 505 And pains intolerable doth suffer: For lovers' hearts are not their own hearts, Nor lights, nor lungs, and so forth downwards. What time, (quoth RALPHO), Sir? -- Too long Three years it off and on has hung. -- 510 Quoth he, I meant what time o'the day 'tis. -- Quoth RALPHO, Between seven and eight 'tis. Why then, (quoth Whachum) my small art Tells me, the dame has a hard heart, Or great estate. -- Quoth RALPH, A jointer, 515 Which makes him have so hot a mind t'her. Mean while the Knight was making water, Before he fell upon the matter; Which having done, the Wizard steps in, To give him suitable reception 520 But kept his bus'ness at a bay Till WHACHUM put him in the way; Who having now, by RALPHO's light. Expounded th' errand of the Knight, And what he came to know, drew near, 525 To whisper in the Conj'rer's ear, Which he prevented thus: What was't, Quoth he, that I was saying last, Before these gentlemen arriv'd? Quoth WHACHUM, Venus you retriev'd, 530 In opposition with Mars,