The original source is a Latin epigram by John Owen (Audoenus Oxoniensis), Bk. III, No. 198. See N. and Q., 1st Series, ii. 516.

LINENOTES:

Title] The Devil Outwitted M. P.

[3]

honours] honour M. P.

20

ON THE SICKNESS OF A GREAT MINISTER

Pluto commanded death to take away
Billy—Death made pretences to obey,
And only made pretences, for he shot
A headless dart that struck nor wounded not.
The ghaunt Economist who (tho' my grandam
Thinks otherwise) ne'er shoots his darts at random
[[958]] Mutter'd, 'What? put my Billy in arrest?
Upon my life that were a pretty jest!
So flat a thing of Death shall ne'er be said or sung—
No! Ministers and Quacks, them take I not so young.'