II. The Bald-Pate Dupe

Fondling or fondled—any how—

(Examples of all times allow)

That men by women must be fleeced.

A dame, whose years were well increased,

But skill’d t’ affect a youthful mien,

Was a staid husband’s empress queen;

Who yet sequester’d half his heart

For a young damsel, brisk and smart.

They, while each wanted to attach

Themselves to him, and seem his match,

Began to tamper with his hair.

He, pleased with their officious care,

Was on a sudden made a coot;

For the young strumpet, branch and root,

Stripp’d of the hoary hairs his crown,

E’en as th’ old cat grubb’d up the brown.

Riley