VII
The nineteenth's a prigger of cacklers who harms, [25]
The poor country higlers, and plunders the farms; [26]
He steals all their poultry, and thinks it no sin,
When into the hen-roost, in the night, he gets in;
The twentieth's a thief-catcher, so we him call,
Who if he be nabb'd will be made pay for all.
Toure you well, etc.
[in Bacchus and Venus (1737) an additional stanza is given:—]
VIII
There's many more craftsmen whom here I could name, [27]
Who use such-like trades, abandon'd of shame;
To the number of more than three-score on the whole,
Who endanger their body, and hazard their soul;
And yet; though good workmen, are seldom made free,
Till they ride in a cart, and be noozed on a tree.
Toure you well, hark you well, see where they are rubb'd,
Up to the nubbing cheat, where they are nubb'd.
[1: hung] [2: passer of base coin] [3: Look! be on your guard] [4: taken] [5: gallows: hung] [6: Tramp or foot-pad.] [7: housebreaker] [8: window thief] [9: valuables] [10: pickpocket; man or silly fop] [11: sneaking-thief] [12: accomplice who jostles whilst another robs: countryman] [13: thief who hooks goods from shop-windows] [14: public-house thief] [15: confidence-trick man; good-natured fool] [16: steals all his money] [17: Notes] [18: an easy dupe] [19: a lure] [20: horse-thief] [21: hung] [22: sheep-stealer] [23: as a duffer] [24: cattle-lifter] [25: poultry-thief] [26: bumpkins] [27: members of the Canting Crew]
FRISKY MOLL'S SONG [1724]
[By J. HARPER, and sung by Frisky Moll in JOHN THURMOND'S Harlequin
Sheppard produced at Drury Lane Theatre].