14 The heroines undertook the task; Through lanes unknown, o'er stiles they ventured, Rapp'd at the door, nor stay'd to ask, But bounce into the parlour enter'd. 15 The trembling family they daunt; They flirt, they sing, they laugh, they tattle, Rummage his mother, pinch his aunt, And up-stairs in a whirlwind rattle. 16 Each hole and cupboard they explore, Each creek and cranny of his chamber, Run hurry-scurry round the floor, And o'er the bed and tester clamber; 17 Into the drawers and china pry, Papers and books, a huge imbroglio! Under a tea-cup he might lie, Or creased like dog's-ears in a folio! 18 On the first marching of the troops, The Muses, hopeless of his pardon, Convey'd him underneath their hoops To a small closet in the garden. 19 So Rumour says; (who will believe?) But that they left the door a-jar, Where safe, and laughing in his sleeve, He heard the distant din of war. 20 Short was his joy: he little knew The power of magic was no fable; Out of the window, whisk! they flew, But left a spell upon the table. 21 The words too eager to unriddle, The Poet felt a strange disorder; Transparent birdlime form'd the middle, And chains invisible the border. 22 So cunning was the apparatus, The powerful pothooks did so move him, That will-he, nill-he, to the great house He went as if the devil drove him. 23 Yet on his way (no sign of grace, For folks in fear are apt to pray) To Phoebus he preferr'd his case, And begg'd his aid that dreadful day. 24 The godhead would have back'd his quarrel: But with a blush, on recollection, Own'd that his quiver and his laurel 'Gainst four such eyes were no protection. 25 The court was set, the culprit there; Forth from their gloomy mansions creeping, The Lady Janes and Joans repair, And from the gallery stand peeping: 26 Such as in silence of the night Come sweep along some winding entry, (Styack[3] has often seen the sight) Or at the chapel-door stand sentry; 27 In peaked hoods and mantles tarnish'd, Sour visages enough to scare ye, High dames of honour once that garnish'd The drawing-room of fierce Queen Mary! 28 The peeress comes: the audience stare, And doff their hats with due submission; She curtsies, as she takes her chair, To all the people of condition. 29 The Bard with many an artless fib Had in imagination fenced him, Disproved the arguments of Squib,[4] And all that Grooms[5] could urge against him. 30 But soon his rhetoric forsook him, When he the solemn hall had seen; A sudden fit of ague shook him; He stood as mute as poor Maclean.[6]