The Borough

by George Crabbe

That men drink shallow draughts, and so madden their brains.

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INNS.

A difficult Subject for Poetry - Invocation of the Muse - Description of the principal Inn and those of the first Class - The large deserted Tavern - Those of a second Order - Their Company - One of particular Description - A lower kind of Public-Houses; yet distingushed among themselves - Houses on the Quays for Sailors - The Green Man; its Landlord, and the Adventure of his Marriage, &c.

MUCH do I need, and therefore will I ask,

A Muse to aid me in my present task;

For then with special cause we beg for aid,

When of our subject we are most afraid:

INNS are this subject - ’tis an ill-drawn lot,

So, thou who gravely triflest, fail me not;