[From _The Humourist_ .... a choice collection o£ songs. 'A New Flash Song', p. 2]. I Come all you buffers gay, [1] That rumly do pad the city, [2] Come listen to what I do say, And it will make you wond'rous wity. II The praps are at Drury Lane, And at Covent Garden also, Therefore I tell you plain, It will not be safe for to go. III But if after a rum cull you pad [3] Pray follow him brave and bold; For many a buffer has been grab'd, For fear, as I've been told. IV Let your pal that follows behind, Tip your bulk pretty soon; And to slap his whip in time, [4] For fear the cull should be down. [5] V For if the cull should be down. And catch you a fileing his bag, [6] Then at the Old Bailey you're found, And d--m you, he'll tip you the lag. [7] VI But if you should slape his staunch wipe [8] Then away to the fence you may go, [9] From thence to the ken of one T-- [10] Where you in full bumpers may flow. VII But now I have finish'd my rhime, And of you all must take my leave; I would have you to leave off in time, Or they will make your poor hearts to bleed. [1: rogue or horse-thief] [2: prowl about] [3: well-dressed victim; walk] [4: give signal to confederate] [5: Notes] [6: robbing] [7: get you transported] [8: steal; handkerchief] [9: receiver of stolen property] [10: house] THE POTATO MAN [Notes] [1775] [from _The Ranelaugh Concert_...a choice collection of the newest songs sung at all the public places of entertainment]. I I am a saucy rolling blade, [1] I fear not wet nor dry, I keep a jack ass for my trade, And thro' the streets do cry _Chorus_. And they all rare potatoes be! And they're, etc. II A moll I keep that sells fine fruit, [2] There's no one brings more cly; [3] She has all things the seasons suit, While I my potatoes cry. _Chorus_. And they all, etc. III A link boy once I stood the gag, [4] At Charing Cross did ply, Here's light your honor for a mag, [5] But now my potatoes cry. _Chorus._ And they all, etc. IV With a blue bird's eye about my squeeg, [6] And a check shirt on my back, [7] A pair of large wedges in my hoofs, And an oil skin round my hat. _Chorus._ And they all, etc. V I'll bait a bull or fight a cock, Or pigeons I will fly; I'm up to all your knowing rigs [8] Whilst I my potatoes cry. _Chorus._ And they all, etc. VI There's five pounds two-pence honest weight Your own scales take and try; For nibbing culls I always hate, [9] And I in safety cry. _Chorus._ And they all, etc. [1: fellow] [2: mistress] [3: money; Notes] [4: cry out] [5: halfpenny] [6: handkerchief] [7: Notes; neck.] [8: smart tricks] [9: cheating dealers] A SLANG PASTORAL [Notes] [1780] [By R. TOMLINSON:--a Parody on a poem by Dr. Byrom, "My time, O ye muses, was happily spent"]. I