Full oft within the spacious walls, His bushy beard and shoestrings green, His high crown'd hat, and satin doublet, Moved the stout heart of England's queen, Though Pope and Spaniard could not trouble it, What, in the very first beginning! A house there is (and that's enough) But rustling in their silks and tissues. The first came cap-a-pee from France ‡, * Sir Christopher Hatton, promoted by Queen Elizabeth for his graceful person and fine dancing. † Brawls were figure-dances then in fashion. The lady's husband, Sir Luke Schaub, had been ambassador at Paris some years before. The other amazon * kind heaven Had arm'd with spirit, wit, and satire; But Cobham had the polish given, And tipp'd her arrows with good nature. To celebrate her eyes, her air Coarse panegyrics would but tease her, Melissa is her "nom de guerre." Alas, who would not wish to please her! With bonnet blue and capuchine, And aprons long, they hid their armour; And veil'd their weapons bright and keen, In pity to the country farmer. Fame, in the shape of Mr. Purt †, Who prowl'd the country far and near, Bewitch'd the children of the peasants, Dried up the Cows, and lamed the deer, And suck'd the eggs, and kill'd the pheasants. * Miss Harriet Speed, Lady C.'s relation, afterwards married to the Count de Viry, Sardinian Envoy at the Court of London. + The Rev. Mr. Purt, tutor to the Duke of Bridgewater, then at Eton school. My lady heard their joint petition, The heroines undertook the task, Through lanes unknown, o'er stiles they Rapp'd at the door, nor stayed to ask, The trembling family they daunt, They flirt, they sing, they laugh, they tattle, Each hole and cupboard they explore, And o'er the bed and tester clamber; * Henry the Fourth, in the fourth year of his reign, issued out the following commission against this species of vermin :-" And it is enacted, that no master-rimer, minstrel, or other vagabond, be in anywise sustained in the land of Wales, to make commoiths, or gatherings upon the people there." The walk from Stoke old mansion, to the house occupied by the poet's family, is peculiarly retired. The house is the property of Captain Salter, and it has belonged to his family for many generations. It is a charming spot for a summer residence, but has undergone great alterations and improvements since Gray gave it up in 1758. F Into the drawers and china pry, Or, creased, like dog's-ears, in a folio. On the first marching of the troops, *There is a very great similarity between the style of part of this poem, and Prior's Tale of the Dove:' as for instance in the following stanzas, which Gray must have had in his mind at the time. "With one great peal they rap the door, Like footmen on a visiting day: Folks at her house at such an hour, Lord! what will all the neighbours say "Her keys he takes, her door unlocks ? Through wardrobe and through closet bounces, Peeps into every chest and box, Turns all her furbelows and flounces. "I marvel much, she smiling said, Your poultry cannot yet he found: Or may be in the teapot drown'd," Short was his joy. He little knew The words too eager to unriddle, So cunning was the apparatus, The powerful pot-hooks did so move him, Yet on his way (no sign of grace, And begg'd his aid that dreadful day. The godhead would have back'd his quarrel; But with a blush on recollection, Own'd, that his quiver and his laurel 'Gainst four such eyes were no protection. The court was sat, the culprit there, Forth from their gloomy mansions creeping, The lady Janes and Joans repair, And from the gallery † stand peeping: * The note which the ladies left upon the table. The music-gallery which overlooked the hall. |