My Lady Valcour, as 'tis known
To hap sometimes to Dames of Ton,
When sudden wants were set on edge
Might look a precious stone to pledge,
To raise a hasty sum or so
She did not wish Sir Charles to know; |
For little systems of disguise
Are seldom seen to cause surprise
In the best order'd families. | } |
Molly she fail'd not to employ
In care of any glittering toy,
Which might so very useful be
In moments of necessity:
But this strange, awkward kind of trade
Was far from pleasant to the maid,
As she, to 'scape from prying eyes
Was told to change her air and size,
And, to perform her work complete,
To be a perfect counterfeit:
In short, as was not uncommon,
To make herself another woman.
She therefore, thought it best to ask
Quæ Genus to perform the task;
And old John Squeeze was recommended,
Who kindly to such wants attended:
Though some who lov'd a joke to crack,
Would laugh, and call him Squeezing Jack. |
In a snug corner of the town,
To nameless spendthrifts too well known,
The miser liv'd, if life it be
Whose meat and drink was usury;
For the old Hunx was ne'er content,
Unless he gain'd his Cent. per Cent.;
And as all traffic with this Elf
Was secret interchange of pelf,
He fear'd not the rapacious paw