_A new Ballad, called, The Brawny Bishop's Complaint._ To the Tune of--_Packington's Pound._ I. When B----t perceived the beautiful dames, Who flocked to the chapel of hilly St James, On their lovers the kindest looks did bestow, And smiled not on him while he bellowed below; To the princess he went, With pious intent, This dangerous ill in the church to prevent: O, Madam! quoth he, our religion is lost, If the ladies thus ogle the knights of the toast. II. Your highness observes how I labour and sweat, Their affections to raise, and new flames to beget; And sure when I preach, all the world will agree, That their ears and their eyes should be pointed on me: But now I can't find, One beauty so kind, As my parts to regard, or my presence to mind; Nay, I scarce have a sight of any one face, But those of old Oxford, and ugly Arglas. III. These sorrowful matrons, with hearts full of truth, Repent for the manifold sins of their youth; The rest with their tattle my harmony spoil; And Bur--ton, An--say, K--gston, and B--le, Their minds entertain, With thoughts so profane, 'Tis a-mercy to find that at church they contain; Even Hen--ham's shapes their weak fancies entice, And rather than me they will ogle the Vice.[282] IV. These practices, madam, my preaching disgrace; Shall laymen enjoy the just rights of my place? Then all may lament my condition for hard, To thresh in the pulpit without a reward. Then pray condescend, Such disorders to end, And from the ripe vineyards such labourers send; Or build up the seats, that the beauties may see The face of no brawny pretender but me. V. The princess, by rude importunities pressed, Though she laughed at his reasons, allowed his request; And now Britain's nymphs, in Protestant reign, Are locked up at prayers like the virgins in Spain; And all are undone, As sure as a gun, Whenever a woman is kept like a nun, If any kind man from bondage will save her, The lass, in gratitude, grants him the favour. The jest of his being "a prophet, formed to make a female proselyte," was more cutting, as he had just acquired a right of naturalization in Holland, by marrying Mrs Mary Scott, a Dutch lady, but of Scottish extraction, being descended of the noble house of Buccleuch. Note XXIX. _The hero and the tyrant change their style, By the same measure that they frown or smile._--P. 235.