A question is put in the British Apollo (London, 1708):—
"... Why a barber at port-hole
Puts forth a party-coloured pole?"
This is the answer given:—
"In ancient Rome, when men lov'd fighting,
And wounds and scars took much delight in,
Man-menders then had noble pay,
Which we call surgeons to this day.
'Twas order'd that a hughe long pole,
With bason deck'd should grace the hole,