Quote Mari pedes? An, quo via ducit, in Urbem?
THE world, I believe, will take fa little notice of me, that I need not take much of it. The criticks may fee by this poem, that I walk on foot, which probably may Save me from their envy. I should be sorry to raise that pafion in men whom I am fo much obliged to, fince they allow me an honour hitherto only fhewn to better writers That of denying me to be the author of my own works.
Gentlemen, if there be any thing in this poem goed enough to difpleafe you, and if it be any advantage to you to afcribe it to fome person of greater merit, I shall acquaint you, for your comfort, that among many other obligations, I owe several hints of it to Dr. Swift. And if you will fo far continue your favour as to write against it, I beg you to oblige me in accepting the following motto:
Non tu, in Triviis, indocte, folebas.
Stridenti, miferum, ftipula, difperdere carmen?
Of the Implements for walking the Streets, and Signs of the Weather.
HROUGH winter ftreets to fteer your courfe aright,
How to walk clean by day, and fafe by night,
How jostling crouds, with prudence to decline,
When to affert the wall, and when refign,
I fing: Thou, Trivia, Goddefs, aid my fong,
Thro' fpacious ftreets conduct thy bard along;
By thee transported, I fecurely stray
Where winding alleys lead the doubtful way,
The filent court, and op'ning fquare explore,
And long perplexing lanes untrod before.
Το
pave thy realm, and smooth the broken ways,
Earth from her womb a flinty tribute pays;
For thee the sturdy pavior thumps the ground,
Whilft ev'ry stroke his lab'ring lungs refound;
For thee the scavenger bids kennels glide
Within their bounds, and heaps of dirt fubfide.
My youthful bofom burns with thirst of fame,
From the great theme to build a glorious name,
To tread in-paths to ancient bards unknown,
And bind my temples with a Civic crown ;
But more, my country's love demands the lays,
My country's be the profit, mine the praise.
When the black youth at chofen ftands rejoice,
And clean your fhoes refounds from every voice';
When late their miry fides ftage-coaches fhow,
And their stiff horses through the town move flow;
When all the Mall in leafy ruin lies,
And damfels firft renew their oyfter cries:
Then let the prudent walker shoes provide,
Not of the Spanish or Morocco hide;
The wooden heel may raife the dancer's bound,
And with the fcallop'd top his ftep be crown'd:
Let firm, well-hammer'd foles protect thy feet
Thro' freezing fnows, and rains, and foaking fleet.
Should the big laft extend the fhoes too wide,
Each stone will wrench th' unwary ftep afide :
The fudden turn may ftretch the fwelling vein,
Thy cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain;:
And when too short the modifh fhoes are worn,
You'll judge the feafons by your fhooting corn.
Nor should it prove thy lefs important care To choose a proper coat for winter's wear. Now in thy trunk thy D'Oily habit fold, The filken drugget ill can fence the cold; The frieze's fpongy nap is foak'd with rain, And show'rs foon drench the camlet's cockled grain, True Witney broad cloth with its fhag unfhorn, Unpierc'd is in the lafting tempeft worn:
Be this the horfeman's fence; for who would wear
Amid the town the fpoils of Ruffia's bear?
Within the Roquelaure's clafp thy hands are pent,
Hands, that stretch'd forth invading arms'prevent.
Let the loop'd Bavaroy the fop embrace,
Or his deep cloak befpatter'd o'er with lace:
That garment beft the winter's rage defends,
Whofe ample form without one plait depends;
By various names in various counties known,'
Yet held in all the true Surtout alone;
Be thine of Kerfey firm, tho' small the cost,,
Then brave unwet the rain, un chill'd the froft.
If the strong cane fupport thy walking hand,
Chairmen no longer fhall the wall command:
Ev'n fturdy carmen fhall thy nod obey,
And rattling coaches top to make thee way:
This shall direct thy cautious tread aright,
Though not one glaring lamp enliven night.
Let beaus their canes with amber tipt produce,.
Be theirs for empty show, but thine for ufe,
In gilded chariots while they loll at cafe,
And lazily infure a life's disease;.
While fofter chairs the tawdry load convey
To Court, to + White's, Affemblies, or the Play;
Rofy-complexion'd health thy fteps attends,
And exercife thy lafting youth defends.
Imprudent men heaven's choiceft gifts profane.
Thus fome beneath their arm fupport the cane;
The dirty point oft checks the careless pace, :. :
And miry fpots thy clean cravat difgrace:
O! may I never fuch misfortune meet,
May no fuch vicious walkers croud the street,
May Providence o'erfhade me with her wings,
While the bold Mufe experienc'd dangers fings.
Not that I wander from my native home, And (tempting perils) foreign cities roam, *A Jofeph, Wrap-rafcal, &c.
White's Chocolate-house in St. James's Street.
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