But now, my Girls, 'tis growing late,
S T . P AUL'S hath long ago struck eight ,
And, since we've set all matters right,
E'en take your beds with me to-night;
Being all birds of the same feather,
You may contrive to roost together.
To tramp the streets at such an hour
Would put you in each Puppy's pow'r,
Who nothing would more gladly chuse,
Than to pick up a straggling Muse .
I know this Town enough to say,
Here Folly reigns with amplest sway,
Making those kindred vices thrive
Which help to keep my shop alive.—
Nor think, soft Virgins of the lyre,
Ignoble views my schemes inspire,
If oft my radiant form I shroud,
And mix with the terrestrial crowd,
To such odd frolics I'm inclin'd,
Merely to better know mankind,
Closer to read the human race,
Which some adorn, but more disgrace.
Thus I on all their actions gaze,
And mark their little dirty ways,
Passing their lives in toil and pother,
By turns a prey to one another.
I'm truly weary of the sight,
And shortly mean to take my flight;
But first I'll make your Culprit own,
Renew'd obedience to your throne,
That future Bards, in future times,
Who dare for Prose relinquish Rhymes ,
By his example may be taught,
Secession's punish'd as it ought.
This justice done, I shut my shop,
And seek with you O LYMPUS ' top,
Where I will make our old dad J OVE ,
And all the jolly folks above,
Shake their imperial sides with laughter,
At what I shall recount hereafter,
When I describe them to a tittle
This town, of which they know so little.
The various scenes I've here survey'd,
Conceal'd beneath this masquerade;
The characters with which it teems,
Some broad awake, some lost in dreams,
And in the midst of Arts and Science,
Oft bidding Common Sense defiance.

 But this at proper time you'll know,
Let us now down to supper go,
And our convivial hour prolong,
With some good old P ARNASSIAN song;
Then, till the ruddy morn shall rise,
In peaceful slumbers close your eyes.