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Sideways they started at the sight, and whisk'd the gig half round; Then 'cross the crowded market place they flew with furious bound.

First o'er a heap of crockry ware, the rapid car they whirl'd;                    And jugs and mugs, and pots and pans in fragments wide were hurl'd.

A booth stood near with tempting cakes, and grocery richly fraught; All Birmingham on t'other side the dazzel'd optics caught.

With active wing the nimble steeds rush'd through the pass between, And scarcely touch'd; the car behind got through not quite so clean :

For while one wheel one stall engaged, its fellow took the other-- Dire was the clash, down fell the booths, and made a dreadful pother.

Nuts, oranges, and gingerbread, and figs here roll'd around; And scissars, knives, and thimbles there, bestrewed the glittering ground.

The fall of boards, the shouts and cries, urged on the horses faster; And as they flew at every step they caused some new disaster.