Some with a noise and greasy light PART II. 10 Others believe no voice t' an organ 15 So sweet as lawyer 's in his bar-gown, Until with subtle cobweb-cheats They're catch'd in knotted law like nets: The more they stir the more they're tangled; 20 There's no end of the immortal suit. Others still gape t' anticipate The cabinet-designs of Fate, Apply to wizards to foresee What shall and what shall never be ; Believe events prove bad or good: A flam more senseless than the roguery Of old auruspicy and aug'ry, 25 30 That out of garbages of cattle Presag'd th' events of truce or battle; Than those that with the stars do fribble. 35 As in due time and place we'll shew: For he, with beard and face made clean, Being mounted on his steed agen, 40 (And Ralpho got a-cock-horse too Upon his beast, with much ado,) It might at once the ruin prove Both of his honour, faith, and love. But if he should forbear to go, She might conclude he 'ad broke his vow; 45 50 "And that he durst not now for shame Appear in court to try his claim : This was the penn' worth of his thought, Quoth he, In all my past adventures I ne'er was set so on the tenters, Or taken tardy with dilemma 55 60 And quits his clog: but all in vain, He still draws after him his chain : 70 So, though my ankle she has quitted, My heart continues still committed; 75 For, if in our account we vary, Or but in circumstance miscarry ; Writ on my skin, I've kept my word, But, faith and love and honour lost, Shall be reduc'd t' a Knight o' th' Post! Beside, that stripping may prevent What I'm to prove by argument, 80 85 90 And justify I have a tail, And that way too my proof may fail. Oh, that I could enucleate, And solve the problems of my fate! Or find by necromantic art How far the Dest'nies take my part! To win, and wear her, and her fortune, To hazard soul, estate, and Worship : 8 HUDIBRAS. (As thou hast prov'd), yet 'tis profane And sinful when men swear in vain. PART II. Quoth Ralph, Not far from hence doth dwell A cunning man, hight Sidrophel, 1 That deals in Destiny's dark counsels, And sage opinions of the Moon sells ; 106 110 disappear When geese and pullen are seduc'd, And need th' opinion of physician ; And love proves cross and humoursome; They for discov'ry flock, or curing. Quoth Hudibras, This Sidrophel I've heard of, and should like it well, 115 120 125 |