Maggots, or, Poems on several subjects, never before handled by a schollar.

NOTES.

(a)

[On a Supper of a Stinking Ducks.]

The story thus—At a Clubb of Younkers, after a Frost a couple of Wild-Ducks were bought. A

thaw coming the day after, these having before been frozen hard, fell in, appear'd all black, and stunk most harmoniously—yet, that nothing good might be wasted, the Purchasers dress't 'em, and eat the first pretty nimbly, not staying to tast it; but by that time, C••lon being a little pacifi'd, advancing to the second, it drove 'em all off, and was given a decent burial at last in the Boghouse.

(b)

[First of all Merry Mac come and taste our good cheer!]

The name of one Gentleman belonging to the Club, old excellent at Lyric verse, which you may learn from the next line.

(c)

[Remember Bats Axiom, &c.

In the ingenious Dr. Bat upon Bat—'tis thus—

"It is a Law that holds with Saint, and Sinner, "That he that has no Knife should have no Dinner.

(d)

[Whore shou'd they be bore but about Taunton-Dean.]

The Ducks were caught in a decoy-pond in Sommerset-shire, and that Country having, 'tis probable their Bellys, or Noses full of 'em, were transported to London for Sale.

(e)

[Consider as cheap of the Poulter they had 'em, As e're of the Higler—(the Servant,) &c.]

Here is certainly some mistake in the Copy, and something or other is wanting to Rhyme to [Had 'em] which the Reader is desired, (if he can) to correct with his Pen.

(f)

[Look over thy Shoulder, and ••tweak off their Down.]

For had he lookt foreright his Nose had been so egregiously affronted there could be no enduring it.

(g)

A Tartar Ragoo, ready dress't in a Ditch.]

A Dead Horse, on which, after 't has been air∣ing in a Ditch for a Fortnight, or a Month, the Tartars will revel, as if 'twere the fattest old Bar∣ren Doe in Christendom.

(h)

[Or a cleanly Blew-Pig.]

For satisfaction in that Story consult the Poem concerning it!

(i)

[They 're black, but where Negro's do paint the De'el White.]

A humour of theirs notorious, of whom the Poet—

"Who, in contempt, will paint the Devil White:

Tho' by his leave and mine too, whatever they think of White Devils, or White Men, 'tis cer∣tain they are old Dogs at White-Women, who, for some certain Reasons, (such as made Apu∣leius gracious) best known to themselves, are not behind hand in Loving them, perhaps because their Complexions differ.

(k)

[They dropt from the Moon out of Breath.]

'Tis the opinion of some Learned men, (too great and grave to be affronted with seeing their Names here) That Wild-fowl, Storks, Wood∣cocks, &c. fly away at the Winters end to the Moon, or some Islands in the Air near it; and

thence at Winter return again. Who knows what may be?

(l)

[Cozen Iohn, 't had been better, &c.— Garden-Cellar had laid 'em in pickle.]

One of the Company, sometimes known by that Name, was at first for giving 'em their Nunc di∣mittis into Boghouse.

(m)

[With chargeable Vomits of Carduus, and Crocus.]

I thought I should catch you napping, cryes Mr. Critick, (or he may if he will) how long has Carduus-posset been so wonderful chargable? Ans. 1. If not chargeable Simpliciter, 'tis Secundum quid—There's a Pothecary's large bill, and Paracelsian Conscience in the Case. Is that In∣sufficient—why have at another of 'em—'Tis true in sensu composito, tho' not diviso, as the learned have it—thus tho' one alone be n't dear, both together may. If neither of all this pother will satisfie, why I can easily stop your Mouth with Bays's answer, which if thought on sooner might have saved all this.

Why 'tis Sir—because Sir—why what's that to you Sir?

Rehearsal.

(n)

[O Jelly of Toads! India's hasty-Pudding.]

'Tis their custom to get a great Iar, and among other Ingredients, as Wine, Chamber-pots, To∣bacco, Spittle, they clap in three or four good size∣able Toads—this stopt up till all is dissolv'd, is their very Nectar, with which they 'l be as drunk

as a Prince—a Beggar—a Tinker—a Wheel-bar∣row, or Davids Sow.—'Tis no Fable, but credibly related by most that write of 'em—as Ba∣ratti's Travels, Gages Travels, &c.

(o)

[That Indians gut Adders, and bring 'em to Table.]

Snakes are a Princely Dish in those Countreys.

(p)

[Hoist 'em up with a Rope at the Fire!]

They were roasted in a String.

(q)

[Sit Roasting her self till she turn to a Maggot.]

In the Fable of the Phaenix, 'tis reported, that after the old one is burnt, a Worm first comes out of its Ashes, and so—and so—and so.