  SPOKEN BY MRS BRACEGIRDLE. I've had to-day a dozen billet-doux From fops, and wits, and cits, and Bow-street beaux; Some from Whitehall, but from the Temple more; A Covent-Garden porter brought me four. I have not yet read all: But, without feigning, We maids can make shrewd guesses at your meaning. } {What if, to shew your styles, I read them here? {Methinks I hear one cry, "O Lord, forbear! {No, madam, no; by heaven, that's too severe." Well then, be safe—— } {But swear henceforwards to renounce all writing, {And take this solemn oath of my inditing,— {As you love ease, and hate campaigns and fighting. Yet, faith, 'tis just to make some few examples: What if I shew'd you one or two for samples? Here's one desires my ladyship to meet [Pulls out one. At the kind couch above in Bridges-Street. Oh sharping knave! that would have—you know what, For a poor sneaking treat of chocolate. [Pulls out another. Now, in the name of luck, I'll break this open, Because I dreamt last night I had a token; The superscription is exceeding pretty, —"To the desire of all the town and city." Now, gallants, you must know, this precious fop Is foreman of a haberdasher's shop: One who devoutly cheats; demure in carriage; And courts me to the holy bands of marriage; But, with a civil innuendo too, My overplus of love shall be for you. "Madam, I swear your looks are so divine, [Reads. When I set up, your face shall be my sign; Though times are hard—to show how I adore you, Here's my whole heart, and half-a-guinea for you. But, have a care of beaux! they're false, my honey; And, which is worse, have not a rag of money." See how maliciously the rogue would wrong ye! But I know better things of some among ye. My wisest way will be to keep the stage, And trust to the good-nature of the age: And he, that likes the music and the play, Shall be my favourite gallant to-day. |
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