Proved at London the 24th October, in the year of our Lord 1767.
FAIRLOPIAN POEMS AND SONGS
THE FAIR DAY OF FAIRLOP FAIR.
JULY 3, 1846.
COME lovers of doggrel, come lovers of sport,
Haste here—at the bidding of Momus resort,
And toss up your “toppers” ten feet in the air,
Since we’ve had a fair day for the Day of our Fair.
Sure, Jove at our bidding fulfill’d our desire,
And each rider, each walker, each seller, and buyer,
Of pleasure and profit came in for their share,
As they hail’d the fair day, on the Day of the Fair.
If the Satyrs and Fawns were unseen in the dance,
And the Dryads themselves look’d a little askance,
Yet the beaux and the belles throng’d in many a pair,
Nor thought of an absence from Fairlop the Fair.
Pedestrians—equestrians—vehiculars—all
Of splendor or merriment kept up the ball;
And Venus herself, or else some to compare,
Adorn’d the fair day, and the Day of the Fair.
How delightful the scene!—how great were the joys
Of the saunt’rers, and simp’rers, and venders of toys;
And the lov’d and the lovely of each had their share,
And enjoy’d the fair day, and the Day of the Fair.
Not more had there been of din, frolic, and fun,
Had Bacchus been present, bestriding his tun;
And Mercury himself had his followers there,
Who hail’d the fair day, and the Day of the Fair.
’Tis certain at evening Diana look’d down,
And eclipsed in a trice all the gas-lights in Town;
Whilst our taverns, though brilliant, shone forth in despair,
As the night drew her curtain of cloud round the Fair.