Lo! waddling forth; in dignity of mein, Corporeal Stratford[13] from his haunt is seen. That bloated form and pompous belly scan; In shape and wit a very alderman! Those vulgar looks his vulgar manners stamp, For knowledge he ne’er burns the midnight lamp. The sternest brute will sometimes kindness own, Bend as you will, and Stratford yet will frown; Enrag’d, he fain would kill you with a look, Ye weak of skull, beware the flying book. Hence to the rocky woods, thou growling bear, Hence to the woods, and deal out justice there. Hence to the woods; but ’ere thou dost escape, Send to supply thy loss a real ape. The suitors scarce will of their lot complain, If by the change some intellect they gain. Like thee, in gestures may his rage be dealt; Like thee, the luckless volumes he may pelt; Each art expressive of the monkey tribe, Well hast thou learnt their natures to imbibe! Next canting Stephen[14] in his study see,-- Himself a slave, devising blacks to free. Better endure the planters iron sway Than pore on musty tomes the livelong day! Better for stolen ease to bear the rack, Than spend a life in one dull gloomy track! No negro thou! what more when all is said? He works by force, and you perhaps for bread. The toil of both may prove a public good,-- Another’s profit, or another’s food. But let me pass thy faults, if such they be-- And turn to one redeeming quality-- Well hast thou done to curb thy thirsty scribe From taking what in truth is but a bribe; A bribe, which those, who dole with sparing hand, But little zeal of service can command. Well hast thou done such odious spoil to slake! An equal theft in those who give or take! Nor yet forgotten is thy sleepy power, Long-winded, doting, vain, capricious Trower[15]. Some share of patience to the speaker lend, Or useless every wish to comprehend! Why wilt thou puzzle each half-witted elf, By keeping all the converse to thyself? Why wilt thou rave, till boggling in a mist, Thou raisest points, which but in air exist-- Approve to day, to-morrow find a flaw-- And own at last that neither is the law. Where are thy tubs, thy dirty smocks and gin? Thy trade is washing, hence and take it in.