V.

The courtiers all, with one accord,

Broke out in Nelly's praises,
Admir'd her rose, and lys sans farde,
(Which are your termes Francoises.)
Then might you see a painted ring
Of dames that stood by Nelly;
She like the pride of all the spring,
And they like fleurs de palais.

VI.

In Marli's gardens, and St. Clou,
I saw this charming Nelly,

Where shameless nymphs expos'd to view,
Stand naked in each alley:

But Venus had a brazen face
Both at Versailles and Mendon,

Or else she had resign'd her place,
And left the stone she stood on.

VII.

Were Nelly's figure mounted there, 'Twould put down all th' Italian:

Lord! how these foreigners would stare!

But I should turn Pygmalion;

For spite of lips, and eyes, and mien,

Me nothing can delight so,

As does that part that lies between
Her left toe and her right one.

Gay.]

36

Kij

A BALLAD

ON QUADRILLE.

WHEN

1.

HEN as Corruption hence did go,

And left the nation free;

When Ay said ay,

and No said no,

Without or place or fee;

Then Satan, thinking things went ill,
Sent forth his spirit, call'd Quadrille.

Quadrille, Quadrille, &c.

Kings, queens, and knaves, made up his pack,

And four fair suits he wore;

His troops they were with red and black

All blotch'd and spotted o'er;

And ev'ry house, go where you will,

Is haunted by this imp Quadrille, &c.

III.

Sure cards he has for ev'ry thing,
Which well Court-cards they name,
And statesman like calls in the king
To help out a bad game;

But if the parties manage ill,

The king is forc'd to lose Codille, &c.

to

IV.

When two and two were met of old,
Tho' they ne'er meant to marry,
They were in Cupids books enroll'd,
And call'd a Party Quarrée;

But now meet when and where you will,
A Party Quarree is Quadrille, &c.

Vi

The commoner, the knight, and peer,

Men of all ranks and fame,

Leave to their wives the only care

To propagate their name:

And well that duty they fulfil

When the good husband's at Quadrille, &c.

VI.

When patients lie in piteous case,

20

50

In comes th' apothecary,

And to the doctor cries, Alas!

Non debes Quadrillare:

The patient dies without a pill,

For why? the doctor's at Quadrille, &c.

VII.

Should France and Spain again grow loud,
The Muscovite grow louder,

Britain to curb her neighbour's proud,
Would want both ball and powder;
Must want both sword and gun to kill:
For why? the general 's at Quadrille, &c.

40

VIII.

The king of late drew forth his sword,
(Thank God 'twas not in wrath)
And made of many a squire and lord,
An unwash'd knight of Bath:

What are their feats of arms and skill?

They're but nine parties at Quadrille, &c.

IX.

A party late at Cambray met,

Which drew all Europe's eyes;

'Twas call'd in Post-boy and Gazette

The Quadruple Allies.

But somebody took something ill,

So broke this party at Quadrille, &c.

X.

And now, God save this noble realm,

And God save eke Hanover:

And God save those who hold the helm,

When as the King goes over;

But let the King go where he will,
His subjects must play at Quadrille.
Quadrille, Quadrille, &c.

50

60

62

A NEW SONG

OF NEW SIMILIES.

My passion is as mustard strong;

I sit all sober sad;

Drunk as a piper all day long,
Or like a March hare mad.

Round as a hoop the bumpers flow;

I drink, yet cann't forget her;
For tho' as drunk as David's sow,
I love her still the better.

Pert as a pear-monger I'd be,

If Molly were but kind;

Cool as a cucumber could see

The rest of womankind.

Like a stuck pig I gaping stare,

And eye her o'er and o'er;

Lean as a rake with sighs and care,

Sleek as a mouse before.

Plump as a partridge was I known,

And soft as silk my skin,

My cheeks as fat as butter grown,
But as a goat now thin!

I melancholy as a cat
Am kept awake to weep;
But she insensible of that,
Sound as a top can sleep.