Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/169

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Countess of Winchilsea
31
To some unwealthy shed resolues to flyAnd there obscure and unmolested lyeBut see how eithers project quickly failsThe Clown his new tormentor with him traylesThrough miry ways rough Woods and furrow'd LandsNe're cutts the Shooe nor propp'd on Crutches standsWith Phœbus rising stays with Cynthia outAllows no respitt to the harrass'd Gout. Whilst with extended Broom th' unpittying MaidDoes the transparent Laberynth invade 30Back stroke and fore the battering Engin wentBroke euery Cord and quite unhing'd the TentNo truce the tall Virago e're admittsContracted and abash'd Arachne' sittsThen in conuenient Time the Work renewsThe battering Ram again the work persues.What's to be done? The Gout and Spider meet,Exchange, the Cottage this; That takes the feetOf the rich Abbott who that Pallace keptAnd 'till that time in Velvet Curtains slept 40Now Colwort leaues and Cataplasms (thô vain)Are hourly order'd by that griping traine.Who blush not to Prescribe t'exhaust our GoldFor aches which incurable they holdWhil'st stroak'd and fixt the pamper'd Gout remainsAnd in an easy Chair euer the Preist detains. In a thatched Roof secure the Spider thrives,Both mending by due place their hated liues.From whose succeeding may this moral growThat each his propper Station learn to know. 50
 For You my Dear whom late that pain did seize,Not rich enough to sooth the bad diseaseBy large expences to engage his stay
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