Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/45

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Walnuts the fruit'rer's hand, in autumn, stain;
Blue plums and juicy pears augment his gain:
Next oranges the longing boys entice,435
To trust their copper fortunes to the dice.
When rosemary and bays, the poet's crown,
Are bawl'd in frequent cries through all the town,
Then judge the festival of Christmas near—
Christmas! the joyous period of the year.440
Now with bright holly all your temples strow,
With laurel green, and sacred misletoe.
Now, heav'n-born Charity! thy blessings shed—
Bid meagre Want uprear her sickly head;
Bid shiv'ring limbs be warm; let Plenty's bowl,445
In humble roofs, make glad the needy soul. . . .
See! see the heaven-born maid her blessings shed!—
Lo! meagre Want uprears her sickly head;
Cloth'd are the naked, and the needy glad,
While selfish Avarice alone is sad.450
Proud coaches pass, regardless of the moan
Of infant orphans, and the widow's groan;
While Charity still moves the walker's mind—
His liberal purse relieves the lame and blind.