Flow'd in at once upon the Dame,
Who wonder'd how the deuce it came,
That with the drap'ry she had got
Within her little shabby cot,
She might for all the town provide,
And break both York-street and Cheapfide.
It happen'd that th' attorney's wife, Who, to be fure, took much upon her, As being one in higher Life,
Who did the Parish mighty honour,
Sent for the Dame, who, poor and willing,
Would take a job of charing work,
And sweat and toil like any Turk,
To earn a fixpence or a fhilling.
She could not come, not the indeed! She thank'd her much, but had no need,
Good news will fly as well as bad, So out this wond'rous ftory came, About the Pedlar and the Dame, Which made th' Attorney's wife so mad, That she refolv'd at any rate, Spite of her pride and Lady airs, To get the Pedlar tête-à-tête,
And make up all the past affairs,
And tho' fhe wifh'd him at the devil,
When he came there the night before,
Determin'd to be monftrous civil,
And drop her curtfie at the door.
Now all was racket, noise and pother,
Nell running one way, John another,
And Tom was on the coach-horse fent,
To learn which way the Pedlar went.
Thomas return'd;-the Pedlar brought.
-What could my dainty Madam say,
For not behaving as she ought,
And driving honeft folks away?
Upon my word, it fhocks me much,
-But there's fuch thieving here of late →→→
Not that I dream'd that you were fuch,
When you came knocking at my gate.
I must confefs myself to blame,
And I'm afraid you lately met
Sad treatment with that homely dame,
Who lives on what her hands can get.
Walk in with me at least to-night,
And let us fet all matters right.
I know my duty, and indeed
Would help a friend in time of need.
Take fuch refreshment as you find,
I'm fure I mean it for the best,
And give it with a willing mind
To fuch a grave and fober gueft.
So in they came, and for his picking,
Behold the table covers spread,
Inftead of Goody's cheese and bread,
With tarts, and fish, and flesh, and chicken,
And to appear in greater ftate,
The knives and forks with filver handles,
The candlesticks of bright (French) plate
To hold her beft mould (tallow) candles,
Were all brought forth to be display'd,
In female housewifry parade.
And more the Pedlar to regale,
And make the wond'rous man her friend,
Decanters foam'd of mantling ale,
And port and claret without end;
They hobb'd and nobb'd, and smil'd and laugh'd, Touch'd glaffes, nam'd their toafts, and quaff'd; Talk'd over every friend and foe,
Till eating, drinking, talking past,
The kind house-clock ftruck twelve at laft.
When wishing Madam bon repos,
The Pedlar pleaded weary head,
Made his low bow, and went to bed.
Wishing him then at perfect ease,
A good foft bed, a good found fleep,
Now, gentle reader, if you please,
We'll at the Lady take a peep.
She could not reft, but turn'd and tofs'd,
While Fancy whisper'd in her brain,
That what her indifcretion loft,
Her art and cunning might regain.
Such Linen to fo poor a dame!
For fuch coarfe fair! perplex'd her head;
Why might not fhe expect the same,
So courteous, civil, and well-bred?
And now the reckon'd up her store
Of Cambricks, Hollands, Muflins, Lawns,
Free gifts, and Purchases, and Pawns,
Refolv'd to multiply them more,
Till fhe had got a Stock of Linen,
Fit for a Dowager to fin in.
The morning came, when up fhe got,
Moft ceremoniously inclin'd
To wind up her fagacious plot,
With all that civil ftuff we find
'Mongst those who talk a wond'rous deal
Of what they neither mean nor feel.
How fhall I, Ma'm, reply'd the Guest,
Make a fuitable return, you
attention and concern,
And fuch civilities expreft
To one, who must be ftill in debt
For all the kindness he has met?
For this your entertainment's fake,
If ought of good my wish can do,
May what you first shall undertake,
Last without ceafing all day through.
Madam, who kindly understood
His wish effectually good,
Strait dropp'd a curtfie wond'rous low,
For much she wanted him to go,
That the might look up all her store,
And turn it into thousands more.
Now all the maids were fent to look
In every cranny, hole and nook,
For every rag which they could find
Of any fize, or any kind.
Draw'rs, Boxes, Closets, Chefts and Cafes
Were all unlock'd at once to get
Her Point, her Gawz, her Pruffia-net,
With fifty names of fifty kinds,
Which fuit variety of minds.
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