History of Animal Plagues. 213 



'Some of the cow-keepers appeared not content with this re- 

 gulation, and beheving that the disease would become general, 

 desio-ned to have sold their cows at some distant market; which 

 the o;entlemen having notice of, appointed several butchers to 

 watch near their grounds, and count their numbers every morn- 

 ing, with orders to follow such as they sent to any market, and 

 prevent their being sold, by telling the people what they were. 



'Another great obstacle at the first, was the cow-keepers not 

 owning the disease till they had lost several cows ; for so soon as 

 it was known that any man had but one sick, none would buy 



ence is made to this ' German Cattle Plague,' which, the poet asserts, came in with 

 the accession of the German dynasty into England, after the death of Queen Anne. 

 The poem is very satirical, and particularly dwells on the straits people were put to 

 in the matter of beef and milk. 



' As soon as Britain had sustain'd 

 That fatal loss which Heaven had gain'd, 

 And parties squabbled to a madness 

 About their sorrows and their gladness, 

 A plague unprophesy'd succeeded. 

 That only reacli'd the Horniheaded, 

 And like a fatal Rot or Murrain, 

 Turn'd all our bulls and cows to carrion. 



' The farriers now their skill employ'd, 

 But still the cows in number dy'd, 

 And with their horns and hides together 

 Were burnt, without reserve of leather., 



' Some cunning huxters, who had cows 

 Old, dry, and lean, not worth a souse, 

 Tho' sound in health, but scarce deserving 

 Of pasture, to prevent their starving. 

 These wisely knock'd 'em on the head 

 By night, when neighbours were in bed. 

 Next day assign'd their expiration 

 To this new fatal visitation : 

 So bore 'em to some distant pit 

 Or ditch, for such a purpose fit ; 

 There, to the terror of our isle. 

 Consumed 'em in their funeral pile. 

 Then like tnic hypocrites, put on 

 A mournful look, as if undone, 

 And claim'd'the sum of forty shilling 

 For every cow of Heaven's killing — 

 A gen'rous bounty, that destroy'd 

 More cattle than the plague annoy'd.' 



