LONDONS WONDER;
Being a Description of Gods Mercy and Goodness, in the breaking of this late mighty Frost
which began about the beginning of December, 1683. and continued till the 4th. of February following.
Great Rich Men hoardeth up their store as we may plainly see,
In hopes to grind and gripe the poor in their Extremity.
To the Tune of Packingtons Pound.
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THis Winter was sharp it did plainly appear,
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The like has not been for this many a year:
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The River of Thames was congeald to a Rock
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And people in multitudes thither did flock;
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Thus many poor Tradesmen was out of imploy,
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Te Truth I am certain theres none can deny:
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Then let us be thankful and praise God therefore,
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For he in good time heard the cry of the Poor.
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The Frost it was sharp most bitter and cold,
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It pierced all people the time it did hold:
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Great Cole-Merchants they that had laid in their store
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Was void of all pitty, and grinded the poor
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And in their extremity it did appear,
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They bought em in cheap, but they sold em out dear
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Then let us be thankful, and praise God therefore,
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For he in good time heard the cry of the Poor.
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Poor Trades-men that great charge maintain
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I needs must confess they had cause to complain
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Their hearts was oppressed with sorrow and care;
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They walkt up and down, but most bleak was the ayr
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And Charity that was as cold as the wind,
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By woful experience some hundreds did find;
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Then let us be thankful, etc.
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On this mighty River they there did invent,
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All kind of vain pastime to reap their content;
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They acted all rudeness there with one accord,
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And little regarded the hand of the Lord:
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Many poor Families suffered this time,
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Whilst some drowned sorrow in Glasses of Wine;
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Then let us be thankful, etc.
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From Westminster-Hall, to the Temple each day,
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The River of Thames, twas made a High-way;
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For Foot-men and Horse-men, and Coaches beside,
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And many brave Gentlemen in them did Ride;
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But all this great Triumph we justly might fear,
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Might make our sad Judgment to fall more severe;
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Then let us be thankful, etc.
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Then during this Frost there they followed their blows,
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In Musick and Gaming, and acting of Shows;
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On this mighty River they Roasted an Ox,
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They Bated the Bull, and they Hunted the Fox:
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But yet I was troubled those pleasures to see,
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For fear that our Lord he should angry be;
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Then let us be thankful, etc.
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But when they perceived the great Frost it did break,
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They were forcd to pack up, and thee Thames to forsake:
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The Wind and the Tide it has brok it in sunder;
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And now we will leave them to talk of the wonder:
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Then let us rejoyce still, and be of good chear,
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We hope we may have a most plentiful year;
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Then let us be thankful, etc.
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The Water-men now at all Stairs they shall Ply,
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Next Oars and next Sculler, let this be their Cry:
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For now you may see they have changed their Noats,
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They pulld down their Tents, and they Row in their Boats
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Twas the works of the Lord we may well un-derstand
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He made mighty Rivers as firm as the Land;
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Then let us be thankful, and praise God therefore,
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For he in good time heard the cry of the Poor.
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