And still from ’neath the altar roared he, As from a bull lowing in cavern deep, “Come worship me, _O men_, come worship me; Spit on the cross, of Jesus take no keep, I promise you an everlasting sleep; The soul and body both shall turn to clay; Ye penitents, why do ye sigh and weep? Let not damnation’s terrors you affray, Come learn my lore that drives all foolish fears away”. · · · · · XIV. Next came that cursed felon THOMAS PAINE, Mounted upon a tiger fierce and fell; And still a shower of blood on him doth rain, With tears that from the eyes of widows well; Loud in his ears the cries of orphans yell; The axe impending o’er his head alway While devils wait to catch his soul to hell, The knave is fill’d with anguish and dismay— And anxious round he looks, even straws do him affray. XV. Then saw I mounted on a braying ass WILLIAM and MARY, sooth, a couple jolly; Who married, note ye how it came to pass, Although each held that marriage was but folly. · · · · · XVIII. Then came MARIA HELEN WILLIAMS STONE, Sitting upon a goat with bearded chin; And she hath written volumes many a one; Better the idle jade had learned to spin. · · · · · XIX. Next mounted on a monster like a louse, With parchments loaded, came a man of law,[333] Sprung from an ancient Caledonian house, Cunningly could he quibble out a flaw; And this sage man would chatter like a daw, To prove the moon green cheese, and black, pure white, Spitting out treason from his greedy maw; To breed sedition was his chief delight, And scratch men’s scabs to ulcers still with all his might. XX. Then on an Irish bull of skin and bone, A foul churl[334] rode, who still a harp would strum, A harp Hibernian, stringless saving one, Well tun’d to harsh sedition’s growling hum; He hit the bull on which he had his bum Full many a bitter pang, nor gave him rest— Dealing his blows on Teagues that round him come, Grieving the while for man and brute opprest, Chaunting the Irish howl, abhorr’d of man and beast. XXI.