A PETITION
From the Women of the Vegetable Market, to the Mayor of Newcastle.
When away fra the Sandhill, sir, at first that we wur sent,
It was wi' heavy hearts, ye ken, yur Honour, that we went;
But now iv the New Market, sir, we're ev'ry ane admir'd,
And if ye'll nobut cover us, it's all that is desir'd!
Afore your worship judges us, now make a little paws,
And dinna gan to say that we complain without a caws;
For that yur Honour cover'd a' the country wives, yeknow,
But huz, yur awn sweet townswomen, ye let neglected go.
For shem, now hinny, Mr. Mayor, to gan & play yur rigs,
An' cover a' the country girls that com to town wi' pigs;
Wi' butter and wi' eggs too—they are se dousely made;
Ah, you've cover'd every ane of them, sir—iv a slated shade.
Now dinna let folks say that we've ne reet te complain,
When they are a' se snugly plac'd, and we are i' the rain:
Then without ne mair fash, sir, now do yur Honour say,
That ye will nobut cover us—and we will every pray.
THE FISH-WIVES' COMPLAINT,
On their Removal from the Sandhill to the New Fish Market, on the 2d of January, 1826.
The merry day hez getten past,
And we are aw myest broken hearted:
Ye've surely deun for us at last—
Frae Sandhill, noo, ye hev us parted.