Lives there in these our Days so soft a Clown,
Brav’d by the Bully’s Oaths or threat’ning Frown?
I need not strict enjoin the Pocket’s Care,
When from the crowded Play thou lead’st the Fair;
Who has not here, or Watch, or Snuff-Box lost,
Or Handkerchiefs that India’s Shuttle boast?
An Admonition to Virtue.
O! may thy Virtue guard thee through the Roads
Of
Drury’s mazy Courts and dark Abodes,
The Harlots’ guileful Paths, who nightly stand,
Where
Katherine-street
descends into the
Strand.
Say, vagrant Muse, their Wiles and subtilsubtil: cunning.
Arts,
To lure the Strangers’ unsuspecting Hearts;
So shall our Youth on healthful Sinews tread,
And City Cheeks grow warm with rural Red.
How to know a Whore.
’Tis She who nightly strolls with saunt’ring Pace;
No stubborn StaysStays: an undergarment stiffened with strips of whale bone. her yielding Shape embrace:
Beneath
Beneath the Lamp her tawdry Ribbons glare,
The new-scower’d Manteau,new-scower’d Manteau: a loose-fitting cloak or robe, second-hand, or one that had been badly soiled. and the slattern
Air;
High-draggled Petticoats her Travels show,
And hollow Cheeks with artful Blushes glow;
With flatt’ring Sounds She soothes the cred’lous Ear,
My noble Captain! Charmer! Love! my Dear!
In Ridinghood near Tavern-Doors she plies,
Or muffled PinnersPinners: a woman's cap with long flaps that hung down on either side and could be pinned up on the head or fastened to the breast. hide her livid Eyes.
With empty BandboxBandbox: a slight box used for bands or ruffs, collars, hats, caps, and other things of small weight. she delights to range,
And feigns a distant Errand from the Change;
Nay, she will oft’ the Quaker’s HoodQuaker’s Hood: ironic, suggesting hypocrisy. Members of the Religious Society of Friends advocated plainness of dress.
profane,
And trudge demure the rounds of
Drury-Lane.
She darts from SarsnetSarsnet: very soft and fine material made of silk.
Ambush wily Leers,
Twitches thy Sleeve, or with familiar Airs
Her fan will pat thy Cheek; these Snares disdain;
Nor gaze behind thee when she turns again.
F 4
I knew