The Damsel’s knife the gaping Shell commands,
While the Salt Liquor streams between her Hands.
The Man had sure a Palate cover’d o’er
With Brass or Steel, that on the rocky Shore
First broke the oozy Oyster’s pearly Coat,
And risqu’d the living Morsel down his Throat.
What will not Lux’ry taste? Earth, Sea, and Air
Are daily ransack’d for the Bill of Fare.
Blood stuff’d in Skins is British Christian’s Food;
And
France robs marshes of the croaking brood;
SpungySpungy: like a sponge. MorellsMorells: mushrooms.
in strong RagoustsRagousts: ragouts, “meat stewed and highly seasoned” (Johnson).
are found,
And in the Soupe the slimy Snail is drown’d.
Observations concerning keeping the Wall.
When from high Spouts the dashing Torrents Fall,
Ever be watchful to maintain the Wall;
For
For shouldst thou quit thy Ground, the rushing Throng
Will with impetuous fury drive along;
All press to gain those Honours thou hast lost,
And rudely shove thee far without the Post:
Then to retrieve the Shed you strive in vain,
Draggled all o’er, and soak’d in Floods of Rain.
Yet rather bear the show’r, and Toils of Mud,
Than in the doubtful quarrel risque thy Blood.
O think on
OEdipus’Oedipus: Oedipus is a central figure in Greek mythology. His life revolves around a prophecy that
he would kill his father and marry his mother, a destiny he unknowingly fulfills. His story appears in
Sophocles' plays Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus.
detested state,
And by his Woes be warn’d to shun thy Fate.
Where three roads join’d he met his sire unknown;
(Unhappy Sire! but more unhappy Son!)
Each claim’d the Way: their Swords the Strife decide:
The hoaryhoary: white- or grey-haired with age. Monarch fell;
he groan’d, and dy’d!
F 2
Hence