Since this happy day Now ev'ry man may Rob (as fafe as in office) upon the highway. For Bluefkin's fharp penknife hath set you at ease; And ev'ry man round me may rob, if he pleafe. V. Some cheat in the customs, fome rob the excife; But he who robs both is esteemed moft wife. Church-wardens, too prudent to hazard the halter, As yet only venture to fteal from the altar. But now to get gold, They may be more bold, And rob on the highway, fince Jonathan's cold: For Bluefkin's fharp penknife hath set you at ease; And ev'ry man round me may rob, if he please. VI. Some by publick revenues, which pass'd through their hands, Have purchas'd clean houfes, and bought dirty lands: Some to steal from a charity think it no fin, Which at home (fays the proverb) does always begin. But, But, if ever you be Affign'd a trustee, Treat not orphans like mafters of the chancery; But take the highway, and more honestly feize; For ev'ry man round me may rob, if he please. VII. What a pother has here been with Wood and his brafs, Who would modeftly make a few half-pennies pass! The patent is good, and the precedent's old, For Diomede changed his copper for gold: But, if Ireland despise The new half-pennies, With more fafety to rob on the road I advife: For Bluefkin's fharp penknife hath set thee at ease; Andev'ry man round me may rob, if he please. On Wood * the patentee's Irish half-pence. Α AS Written in the Year 1724. I. S when the 'fquire and tinker, Wood, Gravely confulting Ireland's good, Together mingled in a mass Smith's duft, and copper, lead, and brass; In fillets roll'd, or cut in pieces, * See an Account of Wood's project in the Drapier's letters, Vol. X. . So So, goldfmiths fay, the coarseft ftuff II. There is a chain let down from Jove, But faften'd to his throne above, So ftrong, that from the lower end, They fay, all human things depend. This chain, as ancient poets hold, When Jove was young, was made of gold. Prometheus once this chain purloin'd, Diffolv'd, and into money coin'd; Then whips me on a chain of brass: (Venus * was brib'd to let it pass.) Now, while this brazen chain prevail'd, Jove faw that all devotion fail'd; No temple to his Godfhip rais'd; In fhort, fuch dire confufion follow'd, Earth must have been in chaos fwallow'd. * A great lady was faid to have been bribed by Wood. Jove flood amaz'd; but, looking round, Prometheus on a rock is laid, Ty'd with a chain himself had made, While vulturs eat his growing liver. III. Ye pow'rs of Grubftreet, make me able Discreetly to apply this fable; Say, who is to be understood By that old thief Prometheus? WOOD. |