The mouse-trap, or, The Welsh engagement with the mice.

  • Edward Holdsworth
Date:
1709
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The mouse-trap, or, The Welsh engagement with the mice. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/24 page 15
    *5 The Moufe-Trap. Each then to his own Home with fpeed repairs And to his Family the joyful Meflage beats : ’ All tell the Wonders they from Taff expeft, And pray the Gods his Labours to direft; Even Pufs her felf at the Prefage looks gay. And in new Pleafures fports the Time away. And (if loud Fame may be believ’d ) ?cis ftid, That as the Houfe wife at the Cheefe-Fat flay’d. Under her Hands the Curd was feen to fwelf And leaping up its Infant-Joys did tell Taffy mean while nor Sleep nor Reft enjoy’d. But Head and Hands at the great Work imploy’d. Until by the divine Minerva's Aid He had with wondrous Skill a Moufe-Trap made. But, Mufe, go on, and with peculiar Care The new-born Fabric): to defcribe prepare , With the firft Traces of its Form begin. And carefully tell o’er the whole Machine. Firft, two fquare Trenchers o’er each other laid At equal Diftance, Top and Bottom made * Thefe Rows of Iron Wire compafs’d round Juft as a Houfe that docs on Pillars ftand * Its treacherous Enterance does open lye, And boafts a friendly Hofpitality •, But the deftru£tive Door hangs over Head, Sufpending Ruin by a flender Thread * ( For all Events the Dejiinies command, And e en a Moufe s Life does on a Thread depend.) A forked Stick on th’ upper Part does rift, On which another lyes in equal poize * * One End of this the mare you do deprefs. The other will the fatal Wicket raift. - i From
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3