Æsopicks: or, A second collection of fables, paraphras'd in verse, adorn'd with sculpture, and illustrated with annotations. / By John Ogilby, esq; his Majesty's cosmographer, geographick printer, and master of revels in the kingdom of Ireland.

SECT. XXVI.

THus I within my own Works seem'd secure, Able a Winter Leaguer to endure; When second thoughts a farther Prospect made, Haw no means my Ruin to evade: Then I repented my distracted Flight, That could not me preserve one single Night; Mad that th' Adulteress I had not slain, That Syren, that enticing common Bane, Who long since could not chang'd Amours adjust, Serving with such varieties her Lust: Then I had done a meritorious Act, And could but Death have suffer'd for the Fact; Left living to accuse me, I am sure Exquisite Tortures dying to endure.

Discoursing thus, a sudden noise I hear Of busie Servants busling here and there; Shut up the Gates, whilst out the Steward comes, Bids diligent search to make through all the Rooms.

Streight I put up my Chain of Pearl, and Vest, My self in my accustom'd Habit drest, And as alarm'd, soon mingled with my Mates, Hoping to get o're Walls, or thorow Gates, And busie with the Steward walk't the Round; But no suspicious Person could be found.

When at a stand, that Girl, that treach'rous Maid, Which me into the Trap at first betray'd, Brought in her Lap those Clothes behind I left, Charging their Owner with worse Crimes than Thef•• My fellow Slaves all knew them at first sight, Whom I so treated but the former Night, And so much fatal Gold on them did spend, They were the first that me did appehend, And Oaths on Oaths, with Protestations, swore They were the same which I that Morning wore.

To search my Cabin next they made request, Whence soon they brought the Orient Chain & Vest▪ All Circumstances clear the Steward found, And calls for Jives, and me in Fetters bound; Then to the Dungeon, thence himself conveys, And leaves me in the Stocks, at little ease,