His cup beside him, through their play he quaffs,

And oft renews, and innocently laughs;

Or growing serious, to the text resorts,

And from the Sunday-sermon makes reports;

While all, with grateful glee, his wish attend,

A grave protector and a powerful friend:

But Slander says, who indistinctly sees,

Once he was caught with Sylvia on his knees; -

A cautious burgess with a careful wife

To be so caught! - ’tis false, upon my life.