1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

137

"The Scene appears, and Madame's Crew . In deep Despair, Exposed to view. See Tinkers, Cobblers, and cold Watchmen, With B s and W All mingling with the Common Throng, Resort to hear her Passing Song. " Whilst Mirth suppress'd by Parliament, In Sober Sadness all lament, Pursued by Jekyl's indignation, She's brought to utter desolation. With Oaths they storm their Monarch's name. And curse their Hands that form'd the Scheme. "All Billingsgate their Case Bemoan, And Rag-fair Change in Mourning's hung Queen Gin, for whom they'd sacrifice Their Shirts and Smocks, nay, both their Eyes. Rather than She want Contribution, They'd trudge the Streets without their shoes on." The following verses on the Gin Act, in 1736, are supposed by John Nichols to be the production of Dr. Johnson. s as drunk as Dutchmen. " Pensilibus fusis cyatho comitata Supremo, Terribili fremitu stridula maeret anus. O longum formosa vale mihi vita decusque, Fida comes mensae fida comesque tori Eheu quam longo tecum consumerer sevo, Heu quam tristitiae dulce lenimen eras, internum direpta mihi, sed quid moror istis, Stat, fixum est, nequeunt jam revocare preces ; I, quoniam sic fata vocant, liceat mihi tantum, Vivere te viva te moriente mori." A clever cento from the Latin poets, which may be thus represented in English :