Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/67

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How wilt thou lift to Heav'n thy eyes and hands,
When the long scroll the surgeon's fees demands!
Or else (ye gods! avert that worst disgrace!)
Thy ruin'd nose falls level with thy face;
Then shall thy wife thy loathsome kiss disdain,305
And wholesome neighbours from thy mug refrain.
Yet there are watchmen, who, with friendly light,
Will teach thy reeling steps to tread aright;
For sixpence will support thy helpless arm,
And home conduct thee safe from nightly harm:310
But if they shake their lanterns, from afar
To call their brethren to confed'rate war,
When rakes resist their pow'r—if hapless you
Should chance to wander with the scouring crew—
Though Fortune yield thee captive, ne'er despair,
But seek the constable's consid'rate ear;316
He will reverse the watchman's harsh decree,
Mov'd by the rhet'rick of a silver fee. . . .
Thus, would you gain some fav'rite courtier's word,
Fee not the petty clerks, but bribe my lord.320
Now is the time that rakes their revels keep—
Kindlers of riot, enemies of sleep.