Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/67

Rh How wilt thou lift to Heav'n thy eyes and hands, When the long scroll the surgeon's fees demands! Or else (ye gods! avert that worst disgrace!) Thy ruin'd nose falls level with thy face; Then shall thy wife thy loathsome kiss disdain, And wholesome neighbours from thy mug refrain.
 * Yet there are watchmen, who, with friendly light,

Will teach thy reeling steps to tread aright; For sixpence will support thy helpless arm, And home conduct thee safe from nightly harm: But if they shake their lanterns, from afar To call their brethren to confed'rate war, When rakes resist their pow'r—if hapless you Should chance to wander with the scouring crew— Though Fortune yield thee captive, ne'er despair, But seek the constable's consid'rate ear; He will reverse the watchman's harsh decree, Mov'd by the rhet'rick of a silver fee Thus, would you gain some fav'rite courtier's word, Fee not the petty clerks, but bribe my lord.
 * Now is the time that rakes their revels keep—

Kindlers of riot, enemies of sleep.