The Merry-Thought Volume Ii Part 12

_On a Drinking-Gla.s.s._

Guard well your Credit, for 'tis quickly gone: 'Tis gain'd by many Actions, lost by one.

_At York, in a Window._

When Mr. _H----_ was chosen Mayor, } We thought our Peace stood very fair, } And hollow'd when he took the Chair. } But see how Mortals may prove civil, } They change their State from Good to Evil: } Set a Beggar on Horseback, he'll ride to the Devil. } And so it prov'd.

_From a Window in Yorks.h.i.+re._

Sir ---- was chosen our Recorder, Hoping he'd put our Wrongs in Order: But, in Truth, the young Gentleman prov'd such a Rake, That he kiss'd all our Wives, and made all our Heads ake.

_Uxbridge, the Crown._

_Puns_ have two evil Ends: Sometimes they gain us Foes, Sometimes they make us lose our Friends.

_At Epping, in a Window._

What care I, to acknowledge my Lord was my Father? } To inherit his Fortune and Weakness together; } If a Porter had got me with Health, I'd much rather. }

_Rebus on Miss Jane Mar-tin._

To _spoil_ the _Cornish Ore_, Names the Nymph that I adore.

_Rebus on Miss Bell-a-dine._

What in a Steeple bears a Sound?

What in the Horn-Book first is found; And eat the Meal of glorious Noon; Give me, Great _Jove_, this Lady soon, Whose Name the first three Lines explain: Her Love's my Life, my Death is her Disdain.

_On Miss Hatt-on._

The Pride of Quaker _John_ Names the Nymph I dote upon.

_Miss Willson._

What e'er a Woman wishes most, } And that which marry'd People boast, } Speaks the dear Charmer, who's my Toast. }

_Miss Hutch-in-son._

The Place were Rabbits are confin'd, The Place where Strangers are refresh'd; And what best pleas'd my Mother's Mind, Tells you the Charmer of my Breast.

_Miss Shuttle-worth._

What a Weaver will toss about all the Day long, } And a Value, whose Praise can't be nam'd in my Song, } Tells the Name of my Charmer who's witty and young. }

_Miss Weathers._

Tell me her Name, whose Looks serene Shew her a G.o.ddess, or a Queen; Who, if in turbulent Disguise, } Will make you shudder at her Eyes: } For _her_, all others I despise. }

_Rebus on Miss Sukey Dart._

Her Name has pierc'd my Heart, } And so we'll never part; } With her I ne'er can feel a Smart. }

_Crown at Harlow._

Death and Marriage are by Destiny, And both these Things become a Maiden's Fee.

Whether they die between a Pair of Sheets, Or live to marry, they will lose their Wits; So is it destin'd by the G.o.ds above, They'll live and die by what _they_ love.

R. T. 1721.

_York, on a Window._

What signifies your chattering, dearest _Nancy_, And swearing d - n your Blood, to please your Fancy; For if your Scruples find that one won't do, Z----ds, c.o.c.k, and prime, and then take two.

Captain J. F. 1729.

_Uxbridge_, 1719.

Various Religions, several Tenets hold; Yet all one G.o.d acknowledge, which is _Gold_.

_Chester, in a Window_, 1726.

A Fox was drawn in for Cakes and Ale, And by a fly Stratagem lost his Tail.

'Tis no Matter, says _Reynard_, by Dint of Persuasion, } I'll make all my Brethren believe 'tis the Fas.h.i.+on, } Though at the same Time, he was in a d----d Pa.s.sion. }

_Underwritten._

----Although they all come in, There's none can laugh, but those that win.

New Fas.h.i.+ons are Gins that I mortally hate; I'll keep my old Fas.h.i.+on, and keep my Estate.

No coaxing, no wheedling, good Mr. Fox.

_Recruiting Officer._

Getting is a Chance; but keeping is a Virtue.