Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/25

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TRIVIA.



BOOK II.

OF WALKING THE STREETS BY DAY.

Thus far the muse has trac'd, in useful lays,
The proper implements for wint'ry ways;
Has taught the walker with judicious eyes
To read the various warnings of the skies:4
Now venture, muse! from home, to range the town,
And for the public safety risk thy own.
For ease and for dispatch the morning's best;
No tides of passengers the street molest.—
You'll see a draggled damsel here and there,
From Billingsgate her fishy traffick bear:10
On doors the sallow milkmaid chalks her gains;
Ah! how unlike the milkmaid of the plains!
Before proud gates attending asses bray,
Or arrogate with solemn pace the way;—