“The master took me first aside, Shew’d me a scrawl, I read, and cry’d Do Fidem. Gravely he shook me by the fist, And wish’d me well--we next request a tutor. He recommends a staunch one, who In Perkin’s cause has been his co- adjutor To see this precious stick of wood, I went (for so they deem’d it good) in fear, Sir. And found him swallowing loyally Six deep his bumpers which to me seem’d queer, Sir. He bade me sit and take my glass, I answered, looking like an ass, I, I can’t, Sir. Not drink!--you don’t come here to pray! The merry mortal said by way of answer. To pray, Sir! No--my lad, ’tis well, Come! here’s our friend Sacheverell! here’s Trappy! Here’s Ormond! Marr! in short so many Traitors we drank, it made my Cranium nappy....” [Illustration: A VIEW OF THE THEATRE, PRINTING HOUSE &C. &C. AT OXFORD.] The lad then went out into the town with this same “sociable priest,” bought his gown, and parted from his parents, and then-- “The master said they might believe him, So righteously (the Lord forgive him!) he’d govern He’d show me the extremest love, Provided that I did not prove too stubborn. So far, so good--but now fresh fees Began (for so the custom is) Fresh fees!--with drink they knock you down, You spoil your clothes; and your new gown you spue in....” He then retired for the night, and was awakened at six o’clock next morning by a “scoundrel” of a servitor. He rose and went to chapel, very sick and still half drunk. Later in the day, when he had recovered sufficiently, he went with his tutor to Broad Street, where-- “Built in the form of Pidgeon-pye, A house there is for rooks to lie and roost in. Thither to take the oaths I went, My tutor’s conscience well content to trust in. Their laws, their articles of grace Forty, I think (save half a brace), was willing To swear to; swore, engag’d my soul, And paid the swearing-broker whole ten shilling. Full half a pound I paid him down, To live in the most p----d town, o’ th’ nation.”