His point he gain’d. Then artfully dismiss’d

The sage; for Death design’d to be conceal’d. 850

He gave an old vivacious usurer

His meagre aspect, and his naked bones;

In gratitude for plumping up his prey,

A pamper’d spendthrift; whose fantastic air,

Well-fashion’d figure, and cockaded[25] brow,

He took in change, and underneath the pride

Of costly linen, tuck’d his filthy shroud.

His crooked bow he straighten’d to a cane;