Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/31

Rh Of her brown lover's cart—for well she knows That pleasing thunder:—swift the goddess rose, And through the streets pursued the distant noise, Her bosom panting with expected joys. With the night-wand'ring harlot's airs she past, Brush'd near his side, and wanton glances cast: In the black form of cinder-wench she came, When love, the hour, the place, had banish'd shame; To the dark alley arm and arm they move: Oh, may no linkboy interrupt their love!
 * When the pale moon had nine times fill'd her space,

The pregnant goddess (cautious of disgrace) Descends to earth: but sought no midwife's aid; Nor 'midst her anguish to Lucina pray'd: No cheerful gossip wish'd the mother joy;— Alone, beneath a bulk, she dropt the boy.
 * The child through various risks in years improv'd:

At first a beggar's brat, compassion mov'd; His infant tongue soon learnt the canting art, Knew all the pray'rs and whines to touch the heart.
 * O happy unown'd youths! your limbs can bear

The scorching dogstar and the winter's air;