(When my nest shall be builded here,)
Parsons shall live up to their text;
And keelmen then shall dread to swear.
“Fish-women, too, shall then forget
To call their neighbours whores and bitches;
But what is most surprising yet—
Your Al—— shall ALL be WITCHES.”
[7] In the year 1783, a pair of crows built their nest upon the vane of the Exchange, and continued many years to rear their young.
[8] Alluding to the Peace of 1783, after the American War.
[9] Alluding to a dreadful earthquake in Italy, which happened shortly before the publication of this, by which 270 cities and towns were destroyed, and 200,000 people perished.