Yet who the footman's arrogance can quell, 160 166 If wheels bar up the road, where streets are croft, With gentle words the coachman's ear accost : He ne'er the threat, or harsh command obeys, But with contempt the fpatter'd fhoe furveys. Now man with utmost fortitude thy foul, To cross the way where carts and coaches roll; 170 Nor rafhly rifque the kennel's fpacious ftride; Like dying thunder in the breaking air; 175 . And call for aid in vain; the coachman fwears, 180 185 Be fure obferve where brown Oftrea stands, Who boasts her shelly ware from Wallfleet sands ; 'There may'st thou pass, with fafe unmiry feet, Where the rais'd pavement leads athwart the street. If where Fleet-ditch with muddy current flows, You chance to roam; where oyfter-tubs in rows 190 Are Are rang'd befide the pofts; there ftay thy haste, 195 When from high spouts the dashing torrents fall, Ever be watchful to maintain the wall; 200 206 For fhould't thou quit thy ground, the rushing throng Will with impetuous fury drive along ; All prefs to gain thofe honours thou haft loft, And by his woes be warn'd to shun thy fate. 210 215 Where three roads join'd, he met his fire unknown; (Unhappy fire, but more unhappy fon!) 220 Each claim'd the way, their fwords the ftrife decide, Contemplate, mortal, on thy fleeting years; 225 See, with black train the funeral pomp appears! Whether fome heir attends in fable state, And mourns with outward grief a parent's fate ; 230 235 Where the nail'd hoop defends the painted ftall, Has not wife nature ftrung the legs and feet 240 245 * Who can the various city frauds recite, With all the petty rapines of the night? Who now the Guinea-dropper's bait regards, Trick'd by the fharper's dice, or juggler's cards? 250 Why should I warn thee ne'er to join the fray, Where the fham-quarrel interrupts the way? Lives there in these our days so soft a clown, Brav'd by the bully's oaths, or threat'ning frown? I need not ftrict enjoin the pocket's care, 255 When from the crouded play thou lead'st the fair; * Various cheats formerly in practice. Who Who has not here, or watch, or fnuff-box loft, 260 265 O! may thy virtue guard thee through the roads Of Drury's mazy courts, and dark abodes. The harlot's guileful paths, who nightly stand, Where Katherine Street defcends into the Strand. Say, vagrant Muse, their wiles and fubtil arts, To lure the ftranger's unfufpecting hearts: So fhall our youth on healthful finews tread, And city cheeks grow warm with rural red. 'Tis the who nightly ftrolls with faun'tring pace, No ftubborn ftays her yielding fhape embrace; Beneath the lamp her tawdry ribbons glare, The new-fcowr'd manteau, and the flattern air; 270 High-draggled petticoats her travels fhow, And hollow cheeks with artful blushes glow; With flatt'ring founds she fooths the cred❜lous ear, My noble captain! charmer! love! my dear! In riding hood near tavern-doors fhe plies, Or muffled pinners hide her livid eyes. With empty bandbox fhe delights to range, And feigns a distant errand from the 'Change; Nay, she will oft the Quaker's hood prophane, And trudge demure the rounds of Drury-lane. She darts from farfnet ambush wily leers, Twitches thy fleeve, or with familiar airs Her fan will pat thy cheek; these fnares difdain, Nor gaze behind thee, when fhe turns again. I knew a yeoman, who for thirst of gain, To the great city drove from Devon's plain His num'rous lowing herd; his herds he fold, And his deep leathern pocket bagg'd with gold; Drawn by a fraudful nymph, he gaz'd, he figh'd ; Unmindful of his home, and distant bride, 290 275 280 285 She She leads the willing victim to his doom," Through winding alleys to her cobweb room. Thence through the street he reels, from poft to post, Thy ruin'd nofe falls level with thy face, Should chance to wander with the fcow'ring crew; He will reverse the watchman's harsh decree, Thus would you gain fome fav'rite courtier's word; His |