LETTER XI. INN S. ALL the Comforts of Life in a Tavern are known, With whose Taste and whose Pleasure I'm proud to accord; To the House of a Friend if you're pleas'd to retire, At your Wish we attend, and confess that your Speech That I've Faults is confess'd; but it won't be denied, "Tis my Interest the Faults of my Neighbours to hide; If I've sometimes lent Scandal occasion to prate, I've often conceal'd what she'd love to relate: If to Justice's Bar some have wander'd from mine, 'Twas because the dull Rogues wouldn't stay by their Wine; And for Brawls at my House, well the Poet explains, That Men drink shallow Draughts and so madden their Brains. INNS. A difficult Subject for Poetry.-Invocation of the Muse.-Description of the principal Inn and those of the first Class. The large deserted Tavern.-Those of a second Order.-Their Company. -One of particular Description.-A lower kind of public Houses: yet distinguished among themselves.-Houses on the Quays for Sailors.-The Green-Man: its Landlord, and the Adventure of his Marriage, &c. LETTER XI. INN S. MUCH do I need, and therefore will I ask Come, lend thy cheerful Light, and give to please, These Seats of Revelry, these Scenes of Ease; Who sings of Inns much danger has to dread, And needs Assistance from the Fountain-head. High in the Street, o'erlooking all the Place, The rampant Lion shows his kingly Face; His ample Jaws extend from side to side, Yet nothing dreadful to his Friends the sight, Here not a Comfort shall to them be lost The ample Yards on either side contain Buildings where Order and Distinction reign ;The splendid Carriage of the wealthier Guest, The ready Chaise and Driver smartly drest ; Whiskeys and Gigs and Curricles are there, And high-fed Prancers many a raw-bon'd Pair. On all without, a lordly Host sustains The care of Empire, and observant reigns; The parting Guest beholds him at his side, With Pomp obsequious, bending in bis Pride; Round all the Place his Eyes all objects meet, Attentive, silent, civil, and discreet. O'er all within, the Lady-Hostess rules, Her Bar she governs, and her Kitchen Schools; To every Guest th" appropriate Speech is made, And every Duty with Distinction paid; Respectful, easy, pleasant or polite "Your Honour's Servant--Mister Smith, good Night." Next, but not near, yet honour'd through the Town, There swing, incongruous pair! the Bear and Crown; That Crown suspended Gems and Ribbands deck, A golden Chain hangs o'er that furry Neck: Unlike the nobler Beast, the Bear is bound, 1 And with the Crown so near him, scowls uncrown'd? Less his Dominion, but alert are all Without, within, and ready for the Call; Smart Lads and light run nimbly here and there, To his Retreats on the Election-Day, Third in our Borough's List appears the Sign And not one Charm adorns th' insulted Queen: |