For O! it was strange, but, though strange, it was true!
With perfumery samples, his bags
With essences, musks, and rich odours a few,
He had joined peradventure the nag's.
The field took the joke in good-humour and jest;
Sir knight was invited to dine
At the Plough the same day, where a fine haunch was dress'd,
And Naylor gave excellent wine.
From that time, 'raong the Chelts, has a knight of the bag
Been look'd on as a man of spirit;
For who but a knight could have hunted a nag
So laden, and come off with merit?
~264~~A visit from two of the commercial gentlemen of the Fleece gave
Blackstrap another opportunity of showing off, which he did not fail
to avail himself of in no very measured paces, by ridiculing the rival
house, and extending his remarks to the taste of the frequenters. To
which one of them replied, "Mine host of the fleece is no 'wolf in
sheep's clothing,' but a right careful good shepherd, who provides well
for his flock; and although the fleece hangs over his door, it is not
symbolical of any fleecing practices within." "Ay," said the other,
defending his hotel; "then, sir, we live like farmers at a harvest-home,
and sleep on beds of down beneath coverings of lamb's wool; and our
attendant nymphs of the chamber are as beautiful and lively as Arcadian
shepherdesses, and chaste as the goddess Diana.
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