That Garment best the Winter’s Rage defends,
Whose shapeles Form in ample Plaits depends;
*A Joseph, a Wrap-Ras-cal, &c.
By *various names in various Counties known,
Yet held in all the true SurtoutSurtout: an overcoat. alone:
Be thine of KerseyKersey: coarse woven cloth, usually ribbed. firm, though small the
Cost,
Then brave unwet the Rain, unchill’d the Frost.
Of Canes.
If the strong Cane support thy walking Hand,
ChairmenChairmen: men employed to carry a sedan chair. no longer shall the Wall command;
Ev’n sturdy Car-men 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 tipt produce,
Be theirs for empty Show, but thine for Use.
In gilded Chariots while they loll at Ease,
And lazily insure a Life’s Disease;a Life’s Disease afflictions associated with being sedentary.
B 3
While
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 Heav’n’s choicest Gifts profane.
Thus some beneath their Arm support the Cane;
The dirty Point oft checks the careless Pace,
And miry Spots thy clean Cravat disgrace:
O! may I never such Misfortune meet,
May no such vicious Walkers croud the Street,
May Providence o’er-shade me with her Wings,
While the bold Muse experienc’d Dangers sings.
Not that I wander from my native Home,
And tempting Perils foreign Cities roam.
Let
Paris
be the theme of
Gallia’sGallia: ancient Gaul (used humorously), that is, France.
Muse,
Where Slav’ry treads the StreetsSlav’ry treads the Streets: Williams notes that Gay contrasts the freedom of England under
George I with the servitude of France under Louis XV.
in wooden Shoes;
Nor