"The Watchmen mustn't cry the hour, nor in their boxes snore;

"Their occupation's gone, and time with them is now no more.

"They tell me, too, the little Sweeps no more must 'Soot, ho!' say:

"I hope for such black deeds there'll come a sweeping 'Settling Day.'

"Another thing doth sorrow bring, and maketh me to fret;

"They talk about abolishing Imprisonment for Debt;

"And next, alas! the time may come, there'll be no costs to pay,

"For ev'ry man will get his own upon the 'Settling Day.'

"I mind me, when a little girl, I travell'd once to York;

"And slow and stately did we ride; it was a three days' work;