News from the River of Thames.
To a Pleasant New Tune.
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THE Winter is exceeding cold,
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poor People find it so;
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I think there's neither young nor old,
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that e're the like did know:
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The famous Ri--ver of the Thames,
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is now a High-way made;
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And there is Booths and Shops al--so,
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set up of ev'--ry Trade.
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Now Lovers with their Sweet-hearts go,
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Unto the Frozen Fayr,
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Some Silver Presents to bestow;
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On some, fine Chyna Ware.
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Roast Beef is likewise Plentiful;
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And some Drink Brandy so,
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That how to speak a Word of sense
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By no means they do know.
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Now from the Temple there is Built,
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A pretty Street or Fayr,
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And there's laid out good store of Guilt,
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In every sort of Ware.
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Coaches running up and down
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As if it were a Road:
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But this, the Labouring Watermen,
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Doth greatly discommode.
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The Gold-Smiths Shops well custom'd are,
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And Pewterers also;
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Such an Icey-Frozen-Fayr
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The World did never know.
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There's seeming Boats compos'd by Art,
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That slide on with a sayl;
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And those that such Contrivance find,
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It doth them much Avail.
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Bull-Bayting, and Bear-Bayting too,
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Upon the Thames hath been;
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The like before I tell to you
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By no man e're was seen:
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There's Nine-Pins Plaid, and Pigin-holes,
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And many sports beside:
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There scarcely any Waterman
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Can tell how runs the Tide.
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The Bonny Watermen that us'd
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To cry, Where shall I Land ye?
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With some Old Curtains make a Booth,
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And there sell Ale and Brandy.
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There's Fidling, and there's Dancing too;
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The like was ner'e before;
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A man can very hardly know
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The Water from the Shore.
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Slideing in Scates there you may see,
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To all mens Admiration,
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And England almost seems to be
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Like to another Nation.
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All things Topsie Turvy turn'd,
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As may be well Observ'd;
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And many Poor that well have Liv'd,
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Half Famish't are, and Starv'd.
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Oh! That the Rich consider would
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The Poor now in distress,
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And call to mind how that ye should
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Not be so Pittyless.
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In God's good Time I hope we shall
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An alteration find;
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Thus I do wish, God bless you all
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That bear an Honest Mind.
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God Prosper long our Soveraign KING
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And happy let Him be;
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That all from Royal Race do Spring
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Live in Prosperity.
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Let Heavenly Power Protect YORK still,
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And keep him from his Foes;
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Let them be crossed in their Will
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That no Allegiance knows.
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