Whom he discovering, turn'd his glass,
And found far off 'twas Hudibras.

Whachum, quoth he, look yonder, some

To try or use our art are come:
The one's the learned Knight; seek out
And pump 'em what they come about.
Whachum advanc'd with all submissness
T'accost 'em, but much more their bus'ness:

He held a 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' the day,
And welcom'd him, as he might say:

490

495

500

He ask'd him whence they came, and whither
Their bus'ness lay? Quoth Ralpho, Hither.
Did not you lose?-Quoth Ralpho, Nay;—
Quoth Whachum, Sir, I meant your way.
Your Knight-Quoth Ralpho, is a lover,
And pains intol❜rable doth suffer:

For lover's hearts are not their own hearts,

505

Nor lights, nor lungs, and so forth downwards. What time?-Quoth Ralpho, Sir, too long,

Three years

it off and on has hung

510

THE NEW PUBLIC LIGWAY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FORNOMMENS

Quoth he, I mean, what time o' th' 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 so hot a mind t' her. Meanwhile the knight was making water,

Before he fell upon the matter;

Which having done, the wizard steps in,

To give him 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 pretended thus: What was't,

Quoth he, that I was saying last,

Before these gentlemen arriv'd?

Quoth Whachum, Venus you retriev'd,

530

In opposition with Mars,

And no benign and friendly stars

T'allay th' effect. Quoth Wizard, So!
In Virgo, ha! Quoth Whachum, No: