EPIGRAMS ON THE FEES DEMANDED FOR SEEING WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
Dame Godly desired the Abbey to view,
Admittance, one sixpence, demanded the clerk,
Which modest request in astonishment wrapt her,
How long will you such imposition pursue?
Faith ma'am, as to that we are left in the dark,
But I think, for my part, to the end of the Chapter.[6]
Down with your cash, the Verger cries,
How mean'st thou this? John Bull replies,
What law protects th' extortion?
Stop, gentle friend—what's law to us?
The law's your own—so make no fuss,
The profits are our portion.
Poets and prophets 'mongst the ancient Romans
Were deemed the same, and this our pockets rue,
For on this creed is built our sacred showman's,
Who has his poets and his profits too.