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
Your tender Shins the scorching Heat decline,
And at the DearthDearth: lack. of Coals the Poor repine;repine: grumble; are discontented.
Before her Kitchin Hearth the nodding Dame
In Flannel MantleMantle: “a kind of cloak or garment thrown over the rest of the dress” (Johnson). wrapt, enjoys the Flame;
Hov’ring, upon her feeble Knees she bends,
And all around the grateful Warmth ascends.
Signs of fair Weather.
Nor do less certain Signs the Town advise, Of milder Weather and serener Skies.
The Ladies, gayly dress’d, the Mall
adorn
With various Dyes, and paint the sunny Morn;
The wanton Fawns with frisking Pleasure range,
And chirping Sparrows greet the welcome Change;
Not that their Minds with greater Skill are fraught,
Endu’dEndu’d: invested with intellectual powers (Johnson). by Instinct, or by Reason taught,
The Seasons operate on every Breast;’Tis hence that Fawns are brisk, and Ladies drest.
When