360 THE DOCTOR. 



So they hurried along, most devoutly relying. 

 On reaching the patient while yet he was dying. 

 But it happen'd he popp'd off an hour before, 

 So his brother accosted them thus at the door : 



" Why, h 1 and the d 1 ! you cannot suppose, 



A man will for ever be led by the nose : 



That doctor declar'd here at five in the morning, 



He knew 'twould be useless again his returning ; 



'Twould be picking my pocket, he very well knew, 



To bring in more medicine, but now he brings you : 



He might just as well to have carried this farce on, 



Have long since brought in the grave-digger and parson ; 



They were just as much wanted, themselves, and their trade, 



For the living ye scoundrels, as you for the dead, 



So be off at once, while you can with whole coats, 



Or I'll ram your d d vials down both of your throats." 



The doctors both star'd at this sort of address : 

 In sooth a physician could not well do less ; 

 They found of the fee that the brother would nick them, 

 For he swore if they did not be off he would kick them : 

 So they quickly departed, but vow'd if this brother, 

 His uncle, aunt, cousin, wife, sister, or mother, 

 Should ever by illness come under their thumbs 

 To avenge the indignity threaten'd their s. 



Here they parted, the one to continue his rounds, 

 The other to make a short cut to the hounds. 



