I've had to-day a dozen billet-doux From fops, and wits, and cits, and Bow-street beaux;[25] 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. Now, in the name of luck, I'll break this open, [_Pulls out another._ 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. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 19: In imitation of the blind man, who said, that "red resembled the sound of a trumpet."] [Footnote 20: One virtue ascribed by Odinn to the Runick characters was, to blunt the weapons of an enemy.]