His jokes were sermons, and his sermons jokes;

But both were thrown away amongst the fens;

For Wit hath no great friend in aguish folks.[OD]No longer ready ears and short-hand pens

Imbibed the gay bon-mot, or happy hoax:[OE]The poor priest was reduced to common sense,

Or to coarse efforts very loud and long,

To hammer a hoarse laugh from the thick throng.[OF]