Close to that venerable Hall ,
Where suitors loud for justice call,
Which in old times old R UFUS built,
A theatre for Truth and Guilt
Whereon Contention's scenes to draw,
And the dull pantomime of law,
Stood the well-noted habitation
Of this great Queen of Plots, V EXATION .

 It was not for the first time now,
A POLLO made this Dame his bow,
Having, in his doctorial station,
Conferr'd on her much obligation,
By patching up, from dissolution,
A sad old Devil's constitution,
One of our Lady's Cater-Cousins,
Who'd cut up characters by dozens,
And liv'd as naturally on slander,
As does by fire the S ALAMANDER .

 It was V EXATION'S boast and pride,
When call'd on, ne'er to be deny'd;
And, tho' a damp to joy all thought her,
Yet, strange to tell! most people sought her.
She, putting on a semblance hearty,
Welcom'd the Doctor, and his party,
Whilst her poor brain was rack'd in vain,
To know whence came his beauteous train:
They, in return, could scarce forbear
To giggle at this Beldam's air;
Two vixen eyes, as black as sloes,
Stood centry on each side her nose,
Which, near in contact with her chin,
Cast o'er her cheeks a ghastly grin:
Her back and shoulders out of place,
Gave to her form no added grace;
Yet what kind Nature had denied,
By Affectation was supplied;
High o'er her antiquated head
The Ostrich' waving plume was spread,
Whence streaming lappets, ribbands, gause,
Seem'd to insult grave Age's laws,
Whilst round her squat, distorted waist
A fashionable Sash was plac'd,
Making one grieve the Coral too
WitHall its bells hung not in view,
By which spectators might have learn'd
That second Childhood was return'd,
And seen, where modish Folly revels,
How much it all distinction levels.

 The God of Verse with strength and grace
Unfolded artfully his case,
Like a warm advocate repeated,
How ill his clients had been treated,
Their patrimonial Rights invaded,
Their influence shook, their pow'r degraded:
Then nam'd the Bard whose rebel spirit
Could thus their just resentment merit,
Their long-prov'd services deserting,
To be with old Dame N ATURE flirting;
Expos'd the visionary schemes
O'er which the doating culprit dreams,
Whence he is destin'd soon to wake,
Compleatly dup'd by his mistake.
And, Madam, adds the God, since you
Mischief's nice stratagems pursue,
Know, while his Paramour he's praising,
To Her a T EMPLE he is raising;
Your subtle arts to ours then join,
And crush his profligate design.