He seized them for the _Queen_ as stray: The Court adjourn'd in usual manner In Battle Blood and fractious Clamour; I thought it proper to provide, A Lodging for myself and Guide, So to our Inn we march'd away, Which at a little distance lay; Where all things were in such Confusion, I thought the World at its conclusion; A Herd of Planters on the ground, O'er-whelm'd with Punch, dead drunk, we found; Others were fighting and contending, Some burnt their Cloaths to save the mending. A few whose Heads by frequent use, Could better bare the potent Juice, Gravely debated State Affairs. Whilst I most nimbly trip'd up Stairs; Leaving my Friend discoursing oddly, And mixing things Prophane and Godly; Just then beginning to be Drunk, As from the Company I slunk, To every Room and Nook I crept, In hopes I might have somewhere slept; But all the bedding was possest By one or other drunken Guest: But after looking long about, I found an antient Corn-loft out, Glad that I might in quiet sleep, And there my bones unfractur'd keep. I lay'd me down secure from Fray, And soundly snoar'd till break of Day; When waking fresh I sat upright, And found my Shooes were vanish'd quite; Hat, Wig, and Stockings, all were fled From this extended _Indian_ Bed; Vext at the Loss of Goods and Chattel, I swore I'd give the Rascal battel, Who had abus'd me in this fort, And Merchant Stranger made his Sport. I furiously descended Ladder; No Hare in _March_ was ever madder; In vain I search'd for my Apparel, And did with Oast and Servants Quarrel; For one whose Mind did much aspire To (z) Mischief, threw them in the Fire: Equipt with neither Hat nor Shooe, I did my coming hither rue, And doubtful thought what I should do: Then looking round, I saw my Friend Lie naked on a Table's end; A sight so dismal to behold, One wou'd have judg'd him dead and cold, When wringing of his bloody Nose, By fighting got we may suppose; I found him not so fast asleep, Might give his friends a cause to weep: Rise (aa) _Oronooko_, rise said I, And from this _Hell_ and _Bedlam_ fly. My Guide starts up, and in amaze, With blood-shot Eyes did round him gaze; At length with many a sigh and groan, He went in search of aged Rhoan; But Rhoan, tho' seldom us'd to faulter, Had fairly this time slipt his Halter; And not content all Night to stay Ty'd up from Fodder, ran away: After my Guide to ketch him ran, And so I lost both Horse and Man: Which Disappointment tho' so great, Did only Mirth and Jests create: Till one more Civil than the rest, In Conversation for the best, Observing that for want of Rhoan, I should be left to walk alone; Most readily did me intreat, To take a Bottle at his Seat; A Favour at that time so great, I blest my kind propitious Fate; And finding soon a fresh supply, Of Cloaths from Stoar-house kept hard by,