Trivia was first published on the 26th of January 1716. It filled an octavo volume of 96 pages, and bore the following inscription upon its title-page: Trivia: or, The Art of Walking the Streets of London. | By Mr. Gay. | Quo te Mæri pedes? An, quo via ducit in Urbem? | Virg. | London:| Printed for Bernard Lintott, at the Cross-Keys | between the Temple Gates in Fleet Street.' The ordinary edition was sold to the public at one-and-sixpence, while a number of large-paper copies were subscribed for by the poet's friends and patrons at a guinea a-piece. I believe it may be worth 150l. to him in the whole,' Pope informed Caryll, in a letter dated Jan. 10, 1716 (Elwin's Works of Pope, vi. 237). The text here followed is that given in the quarto edition of Gay's poems (1720) in which the Cloacina episode (Book II., lines 99-220) appears for the first time. The other variations from the first form are slight, and are noted where they occur. The lines of the poem were not in the first instance numbered, Index references being made to page, and not, as in the Quarto reprint and in this, to book and line. The little side-headings, which occur only in the first edition, have here been restored. It should be explained that the spelling has now and again been slightly modernised; but, beyond this, no liberty with the text has been taken.

ADVERTISEMENT

The world, I believe, will take so little notice of me that I need not take much of it. The critics may see by this poem that I walk on foot, which probably may save me from their envy. I should be sorry to raise that passion in men whom I am so much obliged to, since they allowed me an honour hitherto only shown to better writers: that of denying me to be author of my own works. I am sensible this must be done in pure generosity; because whoever writ them, provided they did not themselves, they are still in the same condition.1

Gentlemen, if there be any thing in this poem good enough to displease you, and if it be any advantage 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 following motto :

-Non tu, in triviis, indocte, solebas Stridenti miserum stipula disperdere carmen?

This entence occurs in the first edition of Trivia only.

TRIVIA

BOOK I

OF THE IMPLEMENTS FOR WALKING THE STREETS AND SIGNS OF THE WEATHER

THROUGH winter streets to steer your course aright,
How to walk clean by day, and safe by night,
How jostling crowds, with prudence to decline,
When to assert the wall, and when resign,

I sing Thou, Trivia, Goddess, aid my song,
Thro' spacious streets conduct thy bard along;
By thee transported, I securely stray
Where winding alleys lead the doubtful way,
The silent court, and op'ning square explore,
And long perplexing lanes untrod before.

To pave thy realm, and smooth the broken ways,
Earth from her womb a flinty tribute pays;
For thee, the sturdy paver thumps the ground
Whilst ev'ry stroke his lab'ring 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;

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But more, my country's love demands the lays,
My country's be the profit, mine the praise.

When the black youth at chosen stands rejoice,
And 'Clean your shoes' resounds from ev'ry 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,
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,
Each 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.

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,

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Of Shoes.

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And showers soon drench the camlet's cockled grain,
True Witney1 broad-cloth with its shag unshorn,
Unpierced is in the lasting tempest worn:

1 A town in Oxfordshire. [This note of Gay's does not find a place in the first edition.]

Of Coats.

Of Canes.

Be this the horseman's fence; for who would wear
Amid the town the spoils of Russia's bear?
Within the Roquelaure's clasp thy hands are pent,
Hands, that stretch'd forth invading harms prevent.
Let the loop'd Bavaroy the fop embrace,

Or his deep cloak be spatter'd o'er with lace.
That garment best the winter's rage defends,
Whose shapeless form in ample plaits depends;
By1 various names in various counties known,
Yet held in all the true Surtout alone;

Be thine of Kersey firm, though small the cost,
Then brave unwet the rain, unchill'd the frost.

If 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 beaus their canes with amber tipp'd produce,
Be theirs for empty show, but thine for use.

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In gilded chariots while they loll at ease,

And lazily insure a life 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;

1 A Joseph, a Wrap-rascal, etc.-G.

2 White's Chocolate-house in St. James's Street.-G.

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