The Dean's Complaint, Translated And Answered

DOCTOR. Deaf, giddy, helpless, left alone.     ANSWER. Except the first, the fault's your own.     DOCTOR. To all my friends a burden grown.     ANSWER. Because to few you will be shewn.                     Give them good wine, and meat to stuff,                     You may have company enough.     DOCTOR. No more I hear my church's bell,                     Than if it rang out for my knell.     ANSWER. Then write and read, 'twill do as well.     DOCTOR. At thunder now no more I start,                     Than at the rumbling of a cart.     ANSWER. Think then of thunder when you f - t.     DOCTOR. Nay, what's incredible, alack!                     No more I hear a woman's clack.     ANSWER. A woman's clack, if I have skill,                     Sounds somewhat like a throwster's mill;                     But louder than a bell, or thunder:                     That does, I own, increase my wonder.