“First, Gentry, Tradesmen, all are welcome hither, And may, without Affront, sit down Together: Pre-eminence of Place, none here should Mind, But take the next fit Seat that he can find: Nor need any, if Finer Persons come, Rise up for to assigne to them his Room; To limit Men’s Expence, we think not fair, But let him forfeit Twelve pence that shall Swear; He that shall any Quarrel here begin, Shall give each Man a Dish t’ Atone the Sin; And so shall he, whose Complements extend So far to drink in COFFEE to his Friend; Let Noise of loud Disputes be quite forborn, No Maudlin Lovers here in Corners Mourn: But all be Brisk, and Talk, but not too much; On Sacred things, Let none presume to touch, Nor Profane Scripture, or sawcily wrong Affairs of State with an Irreverent Tongue: Let mirth be Innocent, and each Man see, That all his Jests without Reflection be; To keep the House more Quiet, and from Blame, We Banish hence Cards, Dice and every Game: Nor can allow of Wagers, that Exceed Five Shillings, which, oft-times, much Trouble Breed; Let all that’s Lost or Forfeited be spent In such Good Liquor as the House doth Vent, And Customers endeavour to their Powers, For to observe still seasonable Howers. Lastly, Let each Man what he calls for _Pay_, And so you’re welcome to come every Day.” To know of coffee-houses in their prime, we must turn to the pages of Addison and Steele, to the _Guardian_, the _Spectator_, the _Tatler_, etc., but they are well epitomised in the following poem, which bears date 1667:— “NEWS FROM THE COFFEE-HOUSE. “In which is shewn their several sorts of Passions, Containing Newes from all our Neighbour _Nations_. “A POEM. “You that delight in Wit and Mirth, And long to hear such News, As comes from all Parts of the _Earth_, _Dutch_, _Danes_, and _Turks_, and _Jews_, I’le send yee to a Rendezvouz, Where it is smoaking new; Go, hear it at a _Coffee-house_, _It cannot but be true_. There Battles and Sea-Fights are Fought, And bloudy Plots display’d; They know more things than ’ere was thought Or ever was betray’d: No Money in the Minting House Is halfe so Bright and New; And, comming from a _Coffee-House_ _It cannot but be true_. Before the _Navyes_ fall to Work, They know who shall be Winner; They there can tell ye what the _Turk_ Last Sunday had to Dinner; Who last did cut _Du Ruitter’s_ Corns, Amongst his jovial Crew; Or Who first gave the _Devil_ Horns. _Which cannot but be true._