With thy dull Prefaces still thou wouldst treat us, Striving to make thy dull Bauble look fair; So the horn'd Herd of the City do cheat us, Still most commending the worst of their Ware. Leave making _Opera's_, and Writing _Lyricks_, 'Till thou hast Ears and canst alter thy strain; Stick to thy Talent of bold Panegyricks, And still remember the breathing the Vein. Yet if thou thinkest the Town will extol 'em, Print thy dull Notes, but be thrifty and Wise; Instead of Angels subscrib'd for the Volume, Take a round Shilling, and thank my Advice. In imitating thee this may be charming, Gleaning from Laureats is no shame at all; And let this Song be sung the next performing, Else ten to one but the Prices will fall. _A_ SONG. [Music] Abroad as I was walking, I spy'd two Maids a wrestling, The one threw the other unto the Ground; One Maid she let a Fart, struck the other to the Heart, Was not this a grievous Wound? This Fart it was heard into Mr. _Bowman's_ Yard, With a great and a mighty Power; For ought that I can tell, it blew down _Bridwell_, And so overcame the _Tower_. It blew down _Paul's_ Steeple, and knock'd down many People, Alack was the more the pity; It blew down _Leaden-hall_, and the Meal-sacks and all, And the Meal flew about the City. It blew down the _Exchange_, was not this very strange, And the Merchants of the City did wound; This Maid she like a Beast, turn'd her fugo to the _East_, And it roar'd in the Air like Thunder. _The Jolly_ PEDLAR's _Pretty Thing_. [Music] A Pedlar proud as I heard tell, He came into a Town: With certain Wares he had to sell, Which he cry'd up and down: At first of all he did begin, With Ribbonds, or Laces, Points, or Pins, Gartering, Girdling, Tape, or Filleting, _Maids any Cunny-skins_. I have of your fine perfumed Gloves, And made of the best Doe-skin; Such as young Men do give their Loves, When they their Favour Win: Besides he had many a prettier Thing _Than Ribbonds_, &c. I have of your fine Necklaces, As ever you did behold; And of your Silk Handkerchiefs, That are lac'd round with Gold: Besides he had many a prettier Thing _Than Ribbonds_, &c. Good fellow, says one, and smiling sat, Your Measure does somewhat Pinch; Beside you Measure at that rate, It wants above an Inch: And then he shew'd her a prettier Thing, _Than Ribbonds_, &c. The Lady was pleas'd with what she had seen, And vow'd and did protest; Unless he'd shew it her once again, She never shou'd be at rest: With that he shew'd her his prettier Thing _Than Ribbonds_, &c. With that the Pedlar began to huff, And said his Measure was good, If that she pleased to try his stuff, And take it whilst it stood: And than he gave her a prettier Thing, _Than Ribbonds_, &c.