Page:A poetic survey round Birmingham - James Bisset - 1800.pdf/35

 Ingenious engines prov'd mechanic powers, And happy pa'id the months, weeks, days and hours ; 'The Toy Shop of the World,' then reard its crest, Whilst hope and joy, alternate, fill'd each breast.

Inventions curious, various kinds of , Then occupied the time of men and boys, And blooming girls, at work, were often seen, That twice their ages join'd, was scarce fifteen, Sent by their parents out, their bread to seek, Who'd earn, perhaps, some shillings in a week; And many worpen, too, you then might see, With children on the lap, or round the knee, An honest livelihood intent to gain, And their sweet, help to maintain. Charm'd with the sight, the the whole reviews, And seem'd, with admiration, quite subdu'd.

To see each warlike weapon They resort, And view'd the polish d blade, of various sort, The, the , the bright, Form'd for the dreadful horrors of the fight; Sharp pointed, and the Sabre keen, and ', were in thousands seen.