50 One cure and five incumbents leap a truss; The title sure must be litigious. The Sadducees would raise a question Who must be Smec at th' Resurrection. Who cooped them up together were to blame. Had they but wire-drawn and spun out their name, 'Twould make another Prentices' Petition Against the bishops and their superstition. Robson and French (that count from five to five, As far as nature fingers did contrive-- 60 She saw they would be 'sessors, that 's the cause She cleft their hoof into so many claws) May tire their carrot-bunch, yet ne'er agree To rate Smectymnuus for poll-money. Caligula--whose pride was mankind's bail, As who disdained to murder by retail, Wishing the world had but one general neck,-- His glutton blade might have found game in Smec. No echo can improve the author more Whose lungs pay use on use to half a score. 70 No felon is more lettered, though the brand Both superscribes his shoulder and his hand. Some Welshman was his godfather, for he Wears in his name his genealogy. The banns are asked, would but the times give way, Betwixt Smectymnuus and Et Caetera. The guests, invited by a friendly summons, Should be the Convocation and the Commons. The priest to tie the foxes' tails together Mosely, or Sancta Clara, choose you whether. 80 See what an offspring every one expects, What strange pluralities of men and sects! One says he'll get a vestry, but another Is for a synod; Bet upon the mother. Faith, cry St. George! Let them go to 't and stickle Whether a conclave or a conventicle. Thus might religions caterwaul, and spite Which uses to divorce, might once unite. But their cross fortunes interdict their trade; The groom is rampant but the bride displayed. 90 My task is done, all my he goats are milked. So many cards i' th' stock, and yet be bilked? I could by letters now untwist the rabble, Whip Smec from constable to constable; But there I leave you to another dressing; Only kneel down and take your father's blessing. May the Queen Mother justify your fears And stretch her patent to your leather ears! [_Smectymnuus, &c._ (_1647_.) Whether this lively skit on the five 'reverend men whose friend' Milton was (as far as he could be proud of being anything but himself) proud of being was in Milton's own mind when he wrote his _Apology_ for the acrostically named treatise, one cannot say. It is a lively 'mime' enough, and he seems to throw back that word with some special meaning. Cleveland's poem may have appeared in the summer of 1641. Naturally, it is in the _Rump_ poems.] [Line: 3 All editions 'skilt'. It apparently must be as in text: 'skill't' for 'skill'st' = 'dost thou [or 'does it'] signify?']