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!
Ah hapless Swain,Swain: ironic. Johnson defines swain as “A pastoral youth,” that is, a young lover or suitor from the country. unus’d to Pains and
Ills!
Canst thou forego Roast-Beef for nauseous Pills?nauseous Pills: pills administered for venereal disease that functioned as emetics or laxatives in an attempt to rid the body of disease.
How wilt thou lift to Heav’n thy Eyes and Hands,
When the long Scroll the Surgeon’sSurgeon: doctor. Fees demands!
Or else (ye Gods! avert that worst Disgrace!)
Thy ruin’d Nose falls level with thy Face;
Then shall thy Wife thy loathsome Kiss disdain,
And wholesome Neighbours from thy Mug refrain.
Yet there are Watchmen,Watchmen: men who were appointed to patrol the streets and keep watch from sunset to sunrise. who, with friendly Light,
Of Watchmen
Will teach thy reeling Steps to tread aright;
For Sixpence will support thy helpless Arm,
And Home conduct thee, safe from nightly Harm;
But if they shake their Lanterns, from afar,
To call their Brethren to confed’rate War,
When