That Wall once whiten'd, now an cdious sight,
Stain'd with all Hues, except its antient White;
The only Door is fasten'd by a Pin,

Or stubborn Bar, that none may hurry in:
For this poor Room, like Rooms of greater pride,
At times contain what prudent Men would hide.

Where'er the Floor allows an even space, Chalking and Marks of various Games have place; Boys, without foresight, pleas'd in Halters swing; On a fix'd Hook Men cast a flying Ring;

While Gin and Snuff their female Neighbours share, And the black Beverage in the fractur'd Ware.

On swinging Shelf are things incongruous stor'd,Scraps of their Food,-the Cards and Cribbage-board,With Pipes and Pouches; while on Peg below, Hang a lost Member's Fiddle and its Bow: That still reminds them how he'd dance and play, Ere sent untimely to the Convicts' Bay.

Here by a Curtain, by a Blanket there,

Are various Beds conceal'd, but none with care;
Where some by Day and some by Night, as best
Suit their Employments, seek uncertain Rest;
The drowsy Children at their Pleasure creep
To the known Crib and there securely sleep.

Each end contains a Grate, and these beside
Are hung Utensils for their boil'd and fry’d—
All us'd at any hour, by Night, by Day,
As suit the Purse, the Person, or the Prey.

Above the Fire, the Mantle-shelf contains
Of China-ware some poor unmatch'd Remains;
There many a Tea-cup's gaudy fragment stands,
All plac'd by Vanity's unwearied hands;

For here she lives, e'en here she looks about,
To find some small consoling Objects out:
Nor heed these Spartan Dames their House, nor sit
'Mid Cares domestic,-they nor sew nor knit;
But of their Fate discourse, their Ways, their Wars,
With arm'd Authorities, their 'Scapes and Scars:
These lead to present Evils, and a Cup,

If Fortune grant it, winds Description up.

High hung at either end, and next the Wall,
Two antient Mirrors show the forms of all,
In all their force;-these aid them in their Dress,
But with the Good, the Evils too express,

Doubling each look of Care, each token of Distress.

1

THE PARISH-CLERK

Began his Duties with the late Vicar, a grave and austere Man; one fully orthodox; a Detecter and Opposer of the Wiles of Satan.-His Opinion of his own Fortitude.-The more Frail offended by these Professions.-His good Advice gives further Provocation. They invent Stratagems to overcome his Virtue. -His Triumph.-He is yet not invulnerable: is assaulted by Fear of Want, and Avarice.-He gradually yields to the Seduction. He reasons with himself and is persuaded.—He offends, but with Terror; repeats his Offence; grows familiar with Crime; is detected.-His Sufferings and Death.