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120

When Percy drove the deer with hound and horn,
Wars to be wept by children yet unborn!
Ah, Witherington! more years thy life had crown'd,
If thou hadst never heard the horn or hound!
Yet shall the squire, who fought on bloody stumps,
By future bards be wail'd in doleful dumps.

109

All in the land of Essex next he chants,
How to sleek mares starch quakers turn gallants:
How the grave brother stood on bank so green-
Happy for him if mares had never been!

Then he was seiz'd with a religious qualm,
And on a sudden sung the hundredth psalm.

He sung of Taffey Welch, and Sawney Scot,
Lilly-bullero, and the Irish Trot.

Why should I tell of Bateman, or of Shore,
Or Wantley's Dragon, slain by valiant Moor,
The Bower of Rosamond, or Robin Hood,
And how the grass now grows where Troy town
stood?

His carols ceas'd: the listening maids and swains
Seem still to hear some soft imperfect strains.
Sudden he rose; and, as he reels along,
Swears kisses sweet should well reward his song.
The damsels laughing fly the giddy clown
Again upon a wheat-sheaf drops adown;

The power that guards the drunk, his sleep attends,
Till ruddy, like his face, the Sun descends.

Ver. 109. A song of sir J. Denham's. See his
poems.

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Ver, 112.

Et fortunatam, si nunquam armenta fuissent,
Pasiphaen.

Eggs
Elm

iv. 120

Lily

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Virg.

Endive

v. 138 Lilly-bullero

v. 60

iii. 55
vi, 116

Ver. 117. Quid loquar aut Scyllam Nisi, &c.

Epitaph

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iii. 3.

Virg.

M

Ver. 117-120, Old English ballads,

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iii. 68

Fawn

i. 16

May-day

i. 58

Fox

iii. 61

Magpye

iii. 5

Fuel

v. 46

Milk-pail

ii. 58

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Mare

vi. 110

i. 45

Mug

vi. 32

vi. 38

Marian

ii. 9

vi. 60 Moore

vi. 118

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Garter
Goldfinch
Ginger
Goose

iv. 110

Marygold

i. 46

i. 52 Midsummer-eve iv. 27

v. 150
v. 114

Mole

v. 157

Mountebank

vi. 83

ACORNS,

Adder

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Past. v. 52 Bun
vi. 20 Boobyclod
v. 8 Butter
iv. 126 Bowzybeus
Butcher
Butterflower

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Gillian of Croydon v. 17
Gooseberry

Mow

v. 75

iv. 51

N

i. 33

vi.

Grass

Green gown

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v, Ninepence

v. 129

ii. 74

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Robin-red-breast vi. 95

Tobacco

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THROUGH winter streets to steer your course aright,
How to walk clean by day, and safe by night;
vi. 79 How jostling crowds with prudence to decline,
When to assert the wall, and when resign,
I sing thou, Trivia, goddess, aid my song,

i. 2 iii. 40

vi. 120
i. 86

True-love's knot iv. 115

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i. 29 vi. 117

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Robin Hood

vi. 119

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v. 137.
i. 111 Valentine's day

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Gaffer Treadwell v. 151 Through spacious streets conduct thy bard along;
By thee transported, I securely stray
Where winding alleys lead the doubtful way,
The silent court and opening square explore,
And long perplexing lanes untiod before.
To pave thy realm, and smooth the broken ways,
Earth from her womb a flinty tribute pays;
For thee the sturdy pavior thumps the ground,
Whilst every stroke his labouring lungs resound;
For thee the scavenger bids kennels glide
Within their bounds, and heaps of dirt subside.
My youthful bosom 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 my lays;
My country's be the profit, mine the praise!

TRIVIA;
OR,

i. 4

ii. 4 v. 99

i. 60

85

vi. 57 vi. 126 v. 66 i. 92 v. 43 i. 63 vi. 61 v. 54

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When the black youth at chosen stands rejoice,
And "clean your shoes" resounds from every voice;-
When late their miry sides stage-coaches show,
And their stiff horses through the town move slow;
When all the Mall in leafy ruin lies,

30

And damsels first renew their oyster-cries:
Then let the prudent walker shoes provide,
Not of the Spanish or Morocco hide;
The wooden heel may raise the dancer's bound,
And with the scallop'd top his step be crown'd:
Let firm, well-hammer'd soles protect thy feet
Thro' freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet.
Should the big last extend the shoe too wide,
Fach stone will wrench th' unwary step aside;
The sudden turn may stretch the swelling vein,
Thy cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain;
And, when too short the modish shoes are worn,
You'll judge the seasons by your shooting corn. 40
Nor should it prove thy less important care,
To choose a proper coat for winter's wear.
Now in thy trunk thy D'Oily habit fold,
The silken drugget ill can fence the cold;
The frieze's spongy nap is soak'd with rain,
And showers soon drench the camlet's cockled
grain;

True Witney broad-cloth, with its shag unshorn,
Unpiere'd is in the lasting tempest worn:
Be this the horseman's fence, for who would wear
Ainid the town the spoils of Russia's bear? 50
Within the roquelaure's clasp thy hands are pent,
Hands, that, stretch'd forth, invading harms pre-
Let the loop'd bavaroy the fop embrace,

[vent

Gentlemen, if there be any thing in this poem good enough to displease you, and if it be any ad-Or his deep cloke bespatter'd o'er with lace. vantage to you to ascribe it to some 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 so far continue your favour as to write against it, I beg you to oblige me in accepting the follow-Then brave unwet the rain, unchill'd the frest. 60 ing motto:

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70

ff the strong cane support thy walking hand, Chairmen no longer shall the wall command; Ev'n sturdy carmen shall thy nod obey, And rattling coaches stop to make thee way: This shall direct thy cautious tread aright, Though not one glaring lamp enliven night. Let beaux their canes, with amber tipt, produce; Be theirs for empty show, but thine for use. In gilded chariots while they loll at ease, And lazily ensure a life's disease; While softer chairs the tawdry load convey To court, to White's, assemblies, or the play; Rosy-complexion'd Health thy steps attends, And exercise thy lasting youth defends. Imprudent men Heaven's choicest gifts profane: Thus some beneath their arm support the cane; The dirty point oft checks the careless pace, And miry spots the clean cravat disgrace. Oh! may I never such misfortune meet! May no such vicious walkers crowd the street! May Providence o'ershade me with her wings, While the bold Muse experienc'd danger sings! Not that I wander from my native home, And (tempting perils) foreign cities roam. Let Paris be the theme of Gallia's Muse, Where Slavery treads the streets in wooden shoes. Nor do I rove in Belgia's frozen clime, And teach the clumsy boor to skate in rhyme; Where, if the warmer clouds in rain descend, No miry ways industrious steps offend; The rushing flood from sloping pavements pours, And blackens the canals with dirty showers. Let others Naples' smoother streets rehearse, And with proud Roman structures grace their verse, Where frequent murders wake the night with

groans,

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90

And blood in purple torrents dyes the stones.
Nor shall the Muse through narrow Venice stray,
Where gondolas their painted oars display.
O happy streets! to rumbling wheels unknown,
No carts, no coaches, shake the floating town! 100
Thus was of old Britannia's city bless'd,
Ere pride and luxury her sons possess'd;
Coaches and chariots yet unfashion'd lay,
Nor late-invented chairs perplex'd the way:
Then the proud lady tripp'd along the town,
And tuck'd-up petticoats secur'd her gown;
Her rosy cheek with distant visits glow'd,
And exercise unartful charms bestow'd:
But since in braided gold her foot is bound,
And a long training mantua sweeps the ground,
Her shoe disdains the street; the lazy fair,
With narrow step, affects a limping air.
Now gaudy pride corrupts the lavish age,
And the streets flame with glaring equipage;
The tricking gamester insolently rides,
With Loves and Graces on his chariot sides;
In saucy state the griping broker sits,
And laughs at honesty and trudging wits.
For you, O honest men! these useful lays
The Muse prepares; I seek no other praise.
When sleep is firs disturb'd by morning cries,
From sure prognostics learn to know the skies,
Lest you of rheums and coughs at night com-
plain;

111

120

Surpris'd in dreary fogs, or driving rain.
When suffocating mists obscure the morn,
Let thy worst wig, long us'd to storins, be worn;

1 A chocolate house in St. James's street.

This knows the powder'd footman, and with care
Beneath his flapping hat secures his hair..
Be thou for every season justly drest,
Nor brave the piercing frost with open breast; 130
And, when the bursting clouds a deluge pour,
Let thy surtout defend the drenching shower.

The changing weather certain signs reveal.
Ere Winter sheds her snow, or frosts congeal,
You'll see the coals in brighter flame aspire,
And sulphur tinge with blue the rising fire;
Your tender shins the scorching heat decline,
And at the dearth of coals the poor repine;
Before her kitchen hearth, the nodding dame,
In flannel mantle wrapt, enjoys the flame;
Hovering, upon her feeble knees she bends,
And all around the grateful warmth ascends.

140

Nor do less certain signs the town advise Of milder weather and serener skies. The ladies, gaily dress'd, the Mall adorn With various dyes, and paint the sunny morn; The wanton fawns with frisking pleasure range, And chirping sparrows greet the welcome change; Not that their minds with greater skill are fraught Endued by instinct, or by reason taught: The seasons operate on every breast; "Tis hence the fawns are brisk, and ladies drest. When on his box the nodding coachman snores, And dreams of fancy'd fares; when tavern doors The chairmen idly crowd; then ne'er refuse To trust thy busy steps in thinner shoes.

150

But when the swinging signs your ears offend With creaking noise, then rainy floods impend; Soon shall the kennels swell with rapid streams, And rush in muddy torrents to the Thames. 160 The bookseller, whose shop's an open square, Foresees the tempest, and with early care Of learning strips the rails; the rowing crew, To tempt a fare, clothe all their tilts in bluc; On hosier's poles depending stockings ty'd, Flag with the slacken'd gale from side to side; Church-monuments foretel the changing air, Then Niobe dissolves into a 'tear, [sounds And sweats with sacred grief; you'll hear the Of whistling winds, ere kennels break their bounds; Ungrateful odours common-shores diffuse, 171 And dropping vaults distil unwholesome dews, Fre the tiles rattle with the smoking shower, And spouts on heedless men their torrents pour.

All superstition from thy breast repel: Let credulous boys and prattling nurses tell, How, if the festival of Paul be clear, Plenty from liberal horn shall strew the year; When the dark skies dissolve in snow or rain, The labouring hind shall yoke the steer in vain; But, if the threatening winds in tempests roar, 181 Then War shall bathe her wasteful sword in gore. How, if on Swithin's feast the welkin lours, And every penthouse streams with hasty showers, Twice twenty days shall clouds their fleeces drain, And wash the pavements with incessant rain, Let not such vulgar tales del ase thy mind; Nor Paul nor Swithin rule the clouds and wind. If you the precepts of the Muse despise, And slight the faithful warning of the skies, Others you'll see, when all the town's afloat, Wrapt in th' embraces of a kersey coat,

190

'Haud equidem credo, quia sit divinitus illis, Ingenium, aut rerum fato prudentia major. Virg. Georg.

200

Or double-bottom'd frieze; their guarded feet
Defy the muddy dangers of the street;
While you, with hat unloop'd, the fury dread
Of spouts high streaming, and with cautious tread
Shun every dashing pool, or idly stop,
To seek the kind protection of a shop.
But business summons; now with hasty scud
You jostle for the wall; the spatter'd mud
Hides all thy hose behind; in vain you scower,
Thy wig, alas! uncurl'd, admits the shower.
So fierce Alecto's snaky tresses fell,
When Orpheus charm'd the rigorous powers of Hell;
Or thus hung Glaucus' beard, with briny dew
Clotted and straight, when first his amorous view
Surpris'd the bathing fair; the frighted maid
Now stands a rock, transform'd by Circe's aid.

210

Good housewives all the winter's rage despise,
Defended by the riding-hood's disguise;
Or, underneath th' umbrella's oily shed,
Safe through the wet on clinking pattens tread.
Let Persian dames th' umbrella's ribs display,
To guard their beauties from the sunny ray;
Or sweating slaves support the shady load,
When eastern monarchs show their state abroad:
Britain in winter only knows its aid,

To guard from chilly showers the walking maid.
But, O! forget not, Muse, the patten's praise,
That female implement shall grace thy lays; 220
Say from what art divine th' invention came,
And from its origin deduce its name.

Where Lincoln wide extends her fenny soil,
A goodly yeoman liv'd, grown white with toil;
One only daughter bless'd his nuptial bed,
Who from her infant hand the poultry fed:
Martha (her careful mother's name) she bore,
But now her careful mother was no more.
Whilst on her father's knee the damsel play'd,
Patty he fondly call'd the smiling maid;
As years increas'd, her ruddy beauty grew,
And Patty's fame o'er all the village flew.
Soon as the grey-ey'd morning streaks the skies,
And in the doubtful day the woodcock flies,
Her cleanly pail the pretty housewife bears,
And singing to the distant field repairs;

230

And, when the plains with evening dews are spread,
The milky burthen smokes upon her head,
Deep through a miry lane she pick'd her way,
Above her ancle rose the chalky clay.

Vulcan by chance the bloomy maiden spies,
With innocence and beauty in her eyes:
He saw, he lov'd; for yet he ne'er had known
Sweet innocence and beauty meet in one.
Ah, Mulciber! recal thy nuptial vows,
Think on the graces of thy Paphian spouse;
Think how her eyes dart inexhausted charms,
And canst thou leave her bed for Patty's arms?

240

250

The Lemnian power forsakes the realms above, His bosom glowing with terrestrial love : Far in the lane a lonely hut he found; No tenant ventur'd on th' unwholesome ground. Here smokes his forge, he bares his sinewy arm, And early strokes the sounding anvil warm: Around his shop the steely sparkles flew,' As for the steed he shap'd the bending shoe. When blue-ey'd Patty near his window came, His anvil rests, his forge forgets to flame, To hear his soothing tales, she feigns delays; What woman can resist the force of praise? At first she coyly every kiss withstood, And all her cheek was flush'd with modest blood;

260

With headless nails he now surrounds her shoes,
To save her steps from rains and piercing dews,
She lik'd his soothing tales, his presents wore,
And granted kisses, but would grant no more.
Yet Winter chill'd her feet, with cold she pines,
And on her cheek the fading rose declines;
No more her humid eyes their lustre boast,
And in hoarse sounds her melting voice is lost, 270
Thus Vulcan saw, and in his heavenly thought
A new machine mechanic fancy wrought,
Above the mire her shelter'd steps to raise,
And bear her safely through the wintery ways.
Straight the new engine on his anvil glows,
And the pale virgin on the patten rose.

No more her lungs are shook with dropping rheums,
And on her cheek reviving beauty blooms.
The god obtain'd his suit: though flattery fail,
Presents with female virtue must prevail.
The patten now supports each frugal dame,
Which from the blue-ey'd Patty takes the name.

TRIVIA. BOOK 11.

OF WALKING THE STREETS BY DAY.

280

Thus far the Muse has trac'd, in useful lays, The proper implements for wintery ways; Has taught the walker, with judicious eyes, To read the various warnings of the skies: Now venture, Muse, from home to range the town, And for the public safety risk thy own.

For ease and for dispatch, the morning's best; No tides of passengers the streets molest. You'll see a draggled damsel here and there, From Billingsgate her fishy traffic bear; 3 10 On doors the sallow milk-maid chalks her gains; Ah! how unlike the milk-maid of the plains! Before proud gates attending asses bray, Or arrogate with solemn pace the way; These grave physicians with their milky cheer The love-sick maid and dwindling beau repair; Here rows of drummers stand in martial file, And with their vellum thunder shake the pile, To greet the new made bride. Are sounds like these The proper prelude to a state of peace? Now Industry awakes her busy sons; Full-charg'd with news the breathless hawker runs : Shops open, coaches roll, carts shake the ground, And all the streets with passing cries resound.

20

30

If cloth'd in black you tread the busy town, "Or if distinguish'd by the reverend grown, Three trades avoid oft in the mingling press The barber's apron soils the sable dress; Shun the perfumer's touch with cautious eye, Nor let the baker's step advance too nigh. Ye walkers too, that youthful colours wear, Three sullying trades avoid with equal care: The little chimney-sweeper skulks along, And marks with sooty stains the heedless throng; When small-coal murmurs in the hoarser throat, From smutty dangers guard thy threaten'd coat; The dustman's cart offends thy clothes and eyes, When through the street a cloud of ashes flies; But, whether black or lighter dyes are worn, The chandler's basket, on his shoulder borne, 40 With tallow spots thy coat; resign the way, To shun the surly butcher's greasy tray,

[49

Butchers, whose hands are dy'd with blood's foul
And always foremost in the hangman's train. [stain,
Let due civilities be strictly paid:
The wall surrender to the hooded maid;
Nor let thy sturdy elbow's hasty rage
Jostle the feeble steps of trembling age:
And when the porter bends beneath his load,
And pants for breath, clear thou the crowded road.
But, above all, the groping blind direct;
And from the pressing throng the lame protect,
You'll sometimes meet a fop, of nicest tread,
Whose mantling peruke veils his empty head;
At every step he dreads the wall to lose,
And risks, to save a coach, his red-heel'd shoes;
Him, like the miller, pass with caution by,
Lest from his shoulder clouds of powder fly.
But, when the bully, with assuming pace,
Cocks his broad hat, edg'd round with tarnish'd
lace,

Yield not the way, defy his strutting pride,.
And thrust him to the muddy kennel's side;
He never turns again, nor dares oppose,
But mutters coward curses as he gues,

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70

If drawn by business to a street unknown, Let the sworn porter point thee through the town; Be sure observe the signs, for signs remain, Like faithful landmarks, to the walking train. Seek not from 'prentices to learn the way, Those fabling boys will turn thy steps astray; Ask the grave tradesman to direct thee right, He ne'er deceives-but when he profits by't. Where fam'd St. Giles's ancient limits spread, An enrail'd column rears its lofty head, Here to seven strects seven dials count the day, And from each other catch the circling ray.. Here oft the peasant, with inquiring face, Bewilder'd, trudges on from place to place; He dwells on every sign with stupid gaze, Enters the narrow alley's doubtful maze, Tries every winding court and street in vain, And doubles o'er his weary steps again. Thus hardy Theseus with intrepid feet Travers'd the dangerous labyrinth of Crete; But still the wandering passes forc'd his stay, Till Ariadne's clue unwinds the way. But do not thou, like that bold chief, confide Thy venturous footsteps to a female guide: She'll lead thee with delusive smiles along, Dive in thy fob, and drop thee in the throng. When waggish boys the stunted beesom ply, To rid the slabby pavement, pass not by

Ere thou hast held their hands; some heedless
Airt

Will overspread thy calves with spattering dirt.
Where porters' hogsheads roll from carts aslope,
Or brewers down steep cellars stretch the rope,
Where counted billets are by carmen tost,
Stay thy rash step, and walk without the post.
What though the gathering mire thy feet be-
smear,

The voice of Industry is always near.
Hark! the boy calls thee to his destin'd stand,
And the shoe shines beneath his oily hand.
Here let the Muse, fatigued amid the throng,
Adorn her precepts with digressive song;
Of shirtless youths the secret rise to trace,
And show the parent of the sable race.

80

90

100

Like mortal man, great Jove (grown fond of change)

Of old was wont this nether world to range

To seek amours; the vice the monarch lov'd 109
Soon through the wide ethereal court improv'd:
And ev'n the proudest goddess, now and then,
Would lodge a night among the sons of men;
To vulgar deities descends the fashion,
Each like her betters, had her earthly passion.
Then Cloacina' (goddess of the tide,
Whose sable streams beneath the city glide)
Indulg'd the modish flame; the town she rov'd,
A mortal scavenger she saw, she lov'd;
The muddy spots that dry'd upon his face,
Like female patches, heighten'd every grace: 120
She gaz'd; she sigh'd; (for love can beauties spy
In what seem faults to every common eye.)

Now had the watchman walk'd his second round,
When Cloacina hears the rumbling sound
Of her brown lover's cart (for well she knows
That pleasing thunder): swift the goddess rose,
And through the streets pursu'd the distant noise,
Her bosom panting with expected joys.

With the night-wandering harlot's airs she past,
Brush'd near his side, and wanton glances cast;130
In the black form of cinder-wench she came,
When love, the hour, the place, had banish'd shame;
To the dark alley arm in arm they move:
O may no link-boy interrupt their love!

When the pale Moon had nine times fill'd her
space,

The pregnant goddess (cautious of disgrace)
Descends to Earth; but sought no midwife's aid,
Nor 'midst her anguish to Lucina pray'd;
No cheerful gossip wish'd the mother joy,
Alone, beneath a bulk, she dropt the boy.

The child, through various risks in years im-
prov'd,

At first a beggar's brat, compassion mov'd;
His infant tongue soon learnt the canting art,
Knew all the prayers and whines to touch the
heart.

140

Oh happy unown'd youths! your limbs can bear. The scorching dog-star, and the winter's air; While the rich infant, nurs'd with care and pain, Thirsts with each heat, and coughs with every rain!

The goddess long had mark'd the child's distress, And long had sought his sufferings to redress. 150 She prays the gods to take the fondling's part, To teach his hands some beneficial art Practis'd in streets: the gods her suit allow'd, And made him useful to the walking crowd; To cleanse the miry feet, and o'er the shoe, With nimble skill, the glossy black renew. Each power contributes to relieve the poor: With the strong bristles of the mighty boar Diana forms his brush; the god of day A tripod gives, amid the crowded way To raise the dirty foot, and ease his toil; Kind Neptune fills his vase with fetid oil Prest from th' enormous whale; the god of fire, From whose dominions smoky clouds aspire, Among these generous presents joins his part, And. aids with soot the new japanning art. Pleas'd she receives the gifts; she downward glides, Lights in Fleet-ditch, and shoots beneath the tides.

160

Cloacina was a goddess, whose image Tatius (a king of the Sabines) found in the common shore; and, not knowing what goddess it was, he called it Cloacina, from the place in which it was found, and paid to it divine honours. Lactant. 1. 20. Minuc. Fel. Oct. p. 232.

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