Then the proud Lady trip’d along
the Town,
And tuck’d up Petticoats secur’d her Gown,
Her rosie Cheek with distant Visits glow’d,
And Exercise unartful Charms bestow’d;
But since in braided Gold her Foot is bound,
And a long trailing ManteauManteau: a loose gown or cloak worn by women. sweeps the Ground,
Her Shoe disdains the Street; the lazy Fair,
With narrow Step affects a limping Air.
Now gaudy Pride corrupts the lavish Age,
And the Streets flame with glaring Equipage;
The tricking GamesterGamester: Johnson has “One who is vitiously addicted to play” (gambling).
insolently rides,
With Loves and Graces on his Chariots sides;
In sawcy state the griping Brokergriping Broker: grasping jobber, one who trades stocks on the market for a commission; another risky form of gambling. sits,
And laughs at Honesty, and trudging Wits.
For you, O honest Men these useful Lays
The Muse prepares; I seek no other Praise.
When
Of the Weather.
When Sleep is first disturb’d by Morning Cries;
From sure Prognosticks learn to know the Skies,
Lest you of Rheums and Coughs at Night complain;
Surpriz’d in dreary Fogs or driving Rain.
When suffocating Mists obscure the Morn,
Let thy worst Wig, long us’d to Storms, be worn;
This knows the powder’d Footman, and, with Care,
Beneath his flapping Hat secures his Hair.
Be thou, for ev’ry Season, justly drest,
Nor brave the piercing Frost with open Breast;
And when the bursting Clouds a Deluge pour,
Let thy Surtout defend the drenching Show’r,
Signs of cold Weather.
The changing Weather certain Signscertain Signs: see Dryden’s Georgics, Book 1, ll. 483–. “And that by certain signs we may presage / Of Heats and Rains, and Wind’s impetuous rage, ... The Clouds are crush’d, a glut of gather’d Rain / The hollow Ditches fills, and floats the Plain, / And Sailors furl their dropping Sheets amain. / Wet weather seldom hurts the most unwise, / So plain the Signs, such Prophets are the Skies ...” reveal.
E’ev Winter sheds her Snow, or Frosts congeal,
You’ll see the Coals in brighter Flame aspire,
And Sulphur tinge with blue the rising Fire:
Your