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

NOTES.

(a)

A King turning Thresher.

I think I may venture to pronounce this purely, a Maggot, and so others that know no better may be apt to think too; but I can assure 'em the Foundation of the Story is as infallibly true, as any in—Lucian's true History.

(b)

[The Soul of Domitian sunk into a Clod.]

When his Envy could not be sated on the Chri∣stians, he left the Empire in Discontent, and re∣tir'd to the Salonian Gardens,—as Cowley••

(c)

[Dyonisius his Scepter was as light as his Rod.]

That Tyrant driven from his Kingdom, tra∣velled into Greece, and set up School-Master;

where his Cares are here affirm'd as heavy as when a King.

(d)

[And the Little-Great-Charles with his Sho∣vel and Spade, Dug a hole, and lay down in the Grave he had made.]

Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany, who after as great a Rufflle in the World as has been made this several Centuries; after War, not on∣ly against most of Europe, but Argi••rs, in Afri∣ca too; at last on some discon••ent, or the un∣pleasing face of his business, resigned the Empire, and retired to a little House and Gard••n, which he cultivated with his own hand, and there liv'd and dy'd.

(e)

[E're my brisk feather'd Bell-man will tell me 'tis day.]

Meaning Chaunticleer,—as Gransire Chau∣cer has it; or in new English, no better nor worse than a Cock,—that Baron Tell-Clock of the Night,—as Cleveland christens him.

(f)

[When Death shall cross Proverbs, and strike at my Heart, When the best of my Flails is no fence for his Dart.]

The common old Proverb here mean••, is, that—There's no Fence against a Flail.