LONDINIANA.
For the Table Book.
Mr. Editor,—Since most of your readers will readily admit the propriety of the adage, “Time and quarter-day wait for no man,” allow me the favour of insertion for the following rhyming couplets, by John Heywood the elder, distinctively known as “the epigrammatist.” They are an extract from his “Workes, newlie imprinted, with six hundrede very pleasant, pithie, and ingenious Epigrammes, 1598, 4to.;” and are thus entitled:—
Seeking for a Dwelling-place.
Still thou seekest for a quiet dwelling place—
What place for quietnes hast thou now in chase:
London bridge—that’s ill for thee, for the water.
Queene hyth—that’s more ill for an other matter.
Smart’s key—that’s most ill for feare of smarting smart.
Carter lane—nay, nay, that sounded all on the cart.
Pawl’s cheyne—nay, in no wise dwell not nere the chaine.
Wood street—why wilt thou be wood yet once againe.
Bread street—that’s too drie, by drought thou shalt be dead.
Philpot lane—that breedeth moist humours in the head.
Silver street—coppersmiths in Silver street; fie.
Newgate street—’ware that, man, Newgate is hard bie.
Foster lane—thou wilt as soone be tide fast, as fast.
Crooked lane—nay crooke no more, be streight at last.
Creed lane—they fall out there, brother against brother.
Ave mary lane—that’s as ill as the tother.
Pater noster row—aye, Pater noster row—
Agreed—that’s the quietest place that I know.
Sign. B b 3.
London-bridge had then houses upon it—a circumstance more fully treated of in the Chronicles of London-bridge, recently published—and half Foster-lane is becoming extinct by the erection of the new general-post-office. The other places still retain their old appellations.
I am, &c.
Will o’ th’ Wisp.
Oct. 12, 1827.