From hence we first at distance see

Th' Apulian hills, well known to me,
Parch'd by the sultry western blast;

And which we never should have past,
Had not Trivicius by the way

Receiv'd us at the close of day."

But each was forc'd at ent'ring here

Το

pay the tribute of a tear,

For more of smoke than fire was seenThe hearth was pil'd with logs so green. From hence in chaises we were carried Miles twenty-four, and gladly tarried At a small town, whose name my verse (So barb'rous is it) can't rehearse.

Know it you may by many a sign,

Water is dearer far than wine.

There bread is deem'd such dainty fare,

That ev'ry prudent traveller

His wallet loads with many a crust;

For at Canusium you might just

As well attempt to gnaw a stone

As think to get a morsel down:

That too with scanty streams is fed;

Its founder was brave Diomed.

Good Varius (ah, that friends must part!) ́ Here left us all with aching heart.

At Rubi we arriv'd that day,

Well jaded by the length of

way,

And sure poor mortals ne'er were wetter: Next day no weather could be better;

No roads so bad; we scarce could crawl Along to fishy Barium's wall.

Th' Egnatians next, who by the rules

Of common sense are knaves or fools,
Made all our sides with laughter heave,
Since we with them must needs believe,
That incense in their temples burns,

And without fire to ashes turns.

To circumcision's bigots tell

Such tales! for me, I know full well,

1

That in high Heav'n, unmov'd by care,
The Gods eternal quiet share:

Nor can I deem their spleen the cause,
Why fickle nature breaks her laws.

Brundusium last we reach: and there
Stop short the muse and traveller,

THE NINTH SATIRE

OF THE

FIRST BOOK OF HORACE.

THE DESCRIPTION OF AN IMPERTINENT.

ADAPTED TO The present TIMES, 1759.

SAUNT'RING along the street one day,

On trifles musing by the way-
Up steps a free familiar wight.

(I scarcely knew the man by sight.)

"Carlos, (he cried) your hand, my dear;

Gad, I rejoice to meet you here!

i

Pray Heav'n I see you well?" “So, so; 1
Ev'n well enough as times now go.
The same good wishes, Sir, to you."
Finding he still pursued me close—
Sir, you have business I suppose.".

My business, Sir, is quickly done,

'Tis but to make my merit known.
Sir, I have read"-" O learned Sir,

You and your learning I revere."
Then, sweating with anxiety,
And sadly longing to get free,

Gods, how I scamper'd, scuffled for't,
Ran, halted, ran again, stopp'd short,
Beckon'd my boy, and pull'd him near,
And whisper'd nothing in his ear.

Teiz'd with his loose unjointed chat"What street is this? What house is that?"

O Harlow, how I envied thee

Thy unabash'd effrontery,

Who dar'st a foe with freedom blame,

And call a coxcomb by his name!

When I return'd him answer none,
Obligingly the fool ran on,

"I see you're dismally distress'd,
Would give the world to be releas'd.
But, by your leave, Sir, I shall still
Stick to your skirts, do what you will.
Pray which way does your journey tend?”
"O'tis a tedious way, my friend.

Across the Thames, the Lord knows where,

I would not trouble you so far."

"Well, I'm at leisure to attend you."

Are you? (thought I) the De'il befriend you.". No ass with double panniers rack'd, Oppress'd, o'erladen, broken-back'd, E'er look'd a thousandth part so dull As I, nor half so like a fool.