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
A dreadful Example
I knew a Yeoman who, for thirst of Gain,
To the great city drove, from
Devon’sDevon: a county in Southwest England plain,
His num’rous lowing Herd; his Herds he sold,
And his deep leathern Pocket bagg’d with Gold;
Drawn by a fraudful Nymph,Nymph: ironic. In the classical tradition, a nymph is a divine spirit in the form of a maiden inhabiting the woods, meadows, or waters; here, the nymph is a prostitute.
he gaz’d, he sigh’d;
Unmindful of his Home, and distant Bride,
She leads the willing Victim to his Doom,
Through winding Alleys, to her Cobweb Room.Cobweb Room: dingy, dirty; also suggests he has been caught in her trap.
Thence thro the Street he reels from Post to Post,
Valiant with Wine, nor knows his Treasure lost.
The vagrant Wretch th’ assembled Watchmen spies,
He waves his Hanger, and their Poles defies;
Deep in the
Round-HouseRound-House: used for a place of detention, a watchhouse. pent, all Night he snores,
And the next Morn in vain his Fate deplores.
Ah!