That it may please thee to protect such as are in power, both in Church and State; to raise up them that fall; and finally, to beat down farmers, curates, and shopkeepers, beneath our feet,
Aristocracy, we beseech thee to hear us.
The Londoner’s Petition.
From shrinkers and shufflers, and shelvers and shirks,
From Parochial harangues and from corporate quirks,
From the Board of many Words and no Works,
From speech-making men.
From the pestilent flow of London’s sewage,
From the further pollution of old Thames’ brewage.