The next lines refer to the Bellman's loyalty in ever remembering the Royal Family; to his salutation of masters and mistresses; to the useful instruction he pours forth in song to young men and maidens; and to the happy marriages he wishes to such as give heed to his warnings. The Bellman then addresses himself to men-servants and maid-servants, enjoining honesty on the former, cleanliness on the latter. Repeatedly wishing prosperity to his masters, he concludes with one pre-eminent exhortation to keep in mind, that the friendly hand of death levels the highest and the lowest.
My ignorance asks several questions. When did the Bellman lay aside his bell, and assume the rattle; and, with this change (I presume), drop the name of Bellman for that of Watchman, to whom the silent policeman has succeeded? Was the dog the usual aide-de-camp of the Bellman? Are there any other instances in which the dog is mentioned as assisting the Bellman in his nocturnal guardianship?
As to the Bellman's poetry, Milton will occur to every one:
"Or the bellman's drowsy charm
To bless the door from nightly harm."—Il Penseroso.
1. Herrick's Hesperides, p. 169., is a Bellman's song, a blessing, concluding:
"Past one o'clock, and almost two,
My masters all, good-day to you."
2. Ibid. p. 251. is another song; a warning to remember the judgment-day, and ending—
"Ponder this when I am gone,