The Discovery (The Squire Turn'd Ferret)

MOST true it is, I dare to say, ever since the Days of Eve, 
The weakest Woman sometimes may the wisest Man deceive. 
For Davenant circumspect, sedate a Machiavel by trade 
Arrived Express, with News of Weight, and thus, at court, he said. 
 At Godliman, hard by the Bull, a woman, long thought barren bears rabbits Gad so plentiful, 
You would take her for a warren these eyes, quoth He, beheld them clear 
What, do ye doubt my view behold this narrative that's here; why, zounds and blood it is true. 

Some said that Douglas sent should be, some talked of Walker's Merit, 
But most held, in this midwifery, no doctor like a FERRET. 
But Molyneux, who heard this told, right wary He and wise cried sagely, 
It is not safe, I hold, to trust to Davenant's Eyes. a vow to God 
He then did make He would himself go down, St. Andre too, the scale to take of that phenomenon. He ordered then his Coach and Four The Coach was quickly got them
Resolved this Secret to explore, And search it to the Bottom. 

 At Godliman they now arrive, for haste they made exceeding; 
As Courtiers should, whenever they strive to be informed of breeding. 
The good Wife to the Surgeon sent, and said to him, Good Neighbour, 
It is a pity that two squires so gent should come and lose their labour. 
The Surgeon with a rabbit came, but first in pieces cut it; 
Then slyly thrust it up that same as far as man could put it 
Ye Guildford Innkeepers take heed You dress not such a Rabbit, 
Ye Poulterers eke, destroy the breed, it is so unsavory a-Bit.

But hold! says Molly, first let's try, now that her legs are open, 
If ought within we may descry by help of Telescope. 
The Instrument himself did make, He raised and leveled right, 
But all about was so opaque, it could not aid his sight. 
 On Tiptoe then the Squire he stood but first He gave her Money
Then reached as high as ever He could, and cried, I feel a CONY. 
Is it alive? St. Andre cried It is; I feel it stir. 
Is it full grown? the Squire replied; It is; see here's the FUR.

And now two legs St. Andre got and then came two legs more;
Now fell the head to Molly's Lot and so the work was over
The Woman, thus being brought to bed said, to reward your pains,
St. Andre shall dissect the head and thou shalt have the brains.
He lapped it in a linen rag,then thanked her for her kindness;
And crammed it in the velvet bag that serves His Royal Highness
That Bag which Jenny, wanton slut first brought to foul disgrace
Stealing the papers thence she put veal-cutlets in their place.
O! happy would it be, I ween could they these Rabbits smother
Molly had never a Midwife been nor she a shameful mother
Why has the Proverb falsely said better two heads than one;
Could Molly hide this rabbit's head he still might shew his own.