Whachum advanc'd, with all fubmifs'nefs

495

T' accoft 'em, but much more their business:
He held the stirrup, while the knight
From leathern bare-bones did alight;
And, taking from his hand the bridle,
Approach'd the dark squire to unriddle.
He gave him first the time o' th' day,
And welcom'd him, as he might say:

500

He ask'd him whence they came, and whither
Their business lay?-Quoth Ralpho, hither.
Did you not lofe?—Quoth Ralpho, nay.
Quoth Whachum, Sir, I meant your way?
Your knight, quoth Ralpho, is a lover,
And pains intol❜rable doth suffer ;

505

For lovers' hearts are not their own hearts, Nor lights, nor lungs, and fo forth downwards. What time-quoth Ralpho, fir, too long,

Three years it off and on has hung

510

Quoth he, I meant what time o' the day 'tis. Quoth Ralpho, between seven and eight 'tis. Why then, quoth Whachum, my small art Tells me the dame has a hard heart,

Or great estate.—Quoth Ralph, a jointure, 515
Which makes him have fo hot a mind t' her.
Mean-while the knight was making water,
Before he fell upon the matter ;

Which having done, the wizard steps in,
To give him a suitable reception;
But kept his business at a bay,

Till Whachum put him in the way;
Who having now, by Ralpho's light,
Expounded th' errand of the knight,

520

And what he came to know, drew near;

525

To whisper in the conj'rer's ear,

Which he prevented thus: what was 't,
Quoth he, that I was saying last,

Before these gentlemen arriv'd?

Quoth Whachum, Venus you retriev'd,

In opposition with Mars,

And no benign friendly stars

T'allay the effect. Quoth wizard, fo:
In Virgo? Ha! quoth Whachum, no:
Has Saturn nothing to do in it,
One tenth of's circle to a minute?

'Tis well, quoth he-Sir you'll excuse
This rudeness I am forc'd to use ;

It is a scheme, and face of heaven,

As th' afpects are difpos'd this even,

I was contemplating upon

When you arriv'd; but now I've done.

Quoth Hudibras, if I appear

Unseasonable in coming here
At fuch a time, to interrupt

Your speculations, which I hop'd

530

535

540

545

Affiftance from, and come to use,
'Tis fit that I ask your excuse.

By no means, fir, quoth Sidrophel,
The stars your coming did foretel;
I did expect you here, and knew,
Before you spake, your business too.
Quoth Hudibras, make that appear,
And I fhall credit whatfoe'er

You tell me after, on your word,
Howe'er unlikely, or abfurd.

You are in love, fir, with a widow,
Quoth he, that does not greatly heed you,
And for three years has rid your wit
And paffion, without drawing bit ;

And now your business is to know

If you

fhall carry her, or no.

Quoth Hudibras, you're in the right, But how the devil you come by 't

550

555

560

I can't imagine; for the stars,

I'm fure, can tell no more than a horse :

565

Nor can their aspects, tho' you pore

Your eyes out on 'em, tell you more

Than th' oracle of fieve and fheers,
That turns as certain as the spheres:
But if the dev'l's of your counfel,
Much may be done, my noble Donzel;
And 'tis on this account I come,
To know from you my fatal doom.
Quoth Sidrophel, if you fuppofe,
Sir knight, that I am one of those,
I might fufpect, and take the alarm,
Your business is but to inform

:

But if it be, 'tis ne'er the near,
You have a wrong fow by the ear;
For I affure you, for my part,

I only deal by rules of art;

570

575

580