Classic Poem

Of Caius.

As Caius walks the streets, if he but heare
A blackman grunt his note, he cries oh rare!
He cries oh rare , to heare the Irishmen
Cry pippe, fine pippe, with a shrill accent, when
He comes at Mercers chappell; and, oh rare ,
At Ludgate at the prisoners plaine-song there:
Oh rare sings he to heare a Cobler sing,
Or a wassaile on twelfe night, or the ring
At cold S. Pancras church; or any thing:
He'le cry, oh rare , and scratch the elbow too
To see two Butchers curres fight; the Cuckoo,
Will cry oh rare , to see the champion bull,
Or the victorious mastife with crown'd scull:
And garlanded with flowers, passing along
From Paris -garden he renewes his song,
To see my L. Maiors Henchmen; or to see,
(At an old Aldermans blest obsequie)
The Hospitall boyes in their blew aequipage,
Or at a carted bawde, or whore in cage:
He'le cry, oh rare , at a Gongfarmers cart,
Oh rare to heare a ballad or a fart:
Briefely so long he hath vsde to cry, oh rare ,
That now that phrase is growne thin & thred-bare,
But sure his wit will be more rare and thin,
If he continue as he doth begin.