Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/84

74 Yet e'en these heroes, mischievously gay, Lords of the street, and terrors of the way, Flush'd as they are with folly, youth and wine, Their prudent insults to the poor confine; Afar they mark the flambeau’s bright approach, And shun the shining train, and golden coach,
 * 'In vain, these dangers past, your doors you close,

And hope the balmy blessings of repose: Cruel with guilt, and daring with despair, The midnight murd'rer bursts the faithless bar; Invades the sacred hour of silent rest, And plants, unseen, a dagger in your breast.
 * 'Scarce can our fields, such crowds at Tyburn die,

With hemp the gallows and the fleet supply. Propose your schemes, ye senatorian band, Whose ways and means support the sinking land; Lest ropes be wanting in the tempting spring, To rig another convoy for the king.
 * 'A single gaol, in Alfred’s golden reign,

Could half the nation’s criminals contain: