Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/20

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Others you'll see, when all the town's afloat,
Wrapt in th' embraces of a kersey coat,
Or double-button'd freeze; their guarded feet
Defy the muddy dangers of the street:194
While you, with hat unloop'd, the fury dread
Of spouts high streaming, and with cautious tread
Shun ev'ry dashing pool; or idly stop,
To seek the kind protection of a shop.
But bus'ness summons: now with hasty scud
You jostle for the wall; the spatter'd mud200
Hides all thy hose behind; in vain you scour;
Thy wig, alas! uncurrd, admits the show'r.
So fierce Alecto's snaky tresses fell,
When Orpheus charm'd the rigorous pow'rs of hell:
Or thus hung Glaucus' beard, with briny dew205
Clotted and strait, when first his am'rous view
Surpris'd the bathing fair; the frighted maid
Now stands a rock, transform'd by Circe's aid.
Good housewives all the winter's rage despise,
Defended by the ridinghood's disguise;210
Or, underneath th' umbrella's oily shade,
Safe through the wet on clinking pattens tread.