January 1795 by Mary Darby Robinson

Lyrics

Pavement slipp'ry, people sneezing Lords in ermine, beggars freezing; Titled gluttons dainties carving Genius in a garret starving Lofty mansions, warm and spacious; Courtiers cringing and voracious; Misers scarce the wretched heeding; Gallant soldiers fighting, bleeding Wives who laugh at passive spouses; Theatres, and meeting-houses; Balls, where simp'ring misses languish; Hospitals, and groans of anguish Arts and sciences bewailing; Commerce drooping, credit failing; Placemen mocking subjects loyal; Separations, weddings royal Authors who can't earn a dinner; Many a subtle rogue a winnеr; Fugitives for shelter seeking; Misеrs hoarding, tradesmen breaking Taste and talents quite deserted; All the laws of truth perverted; Arrogance o'er merit soaring; Merit silently deploring Ladies gambling night and morning; Fools the works of genius scorning; Ancient dames for girls mistaken Youthful damsels quite forsaken Some in luxury delighting; More in talking than in fighting; Lovers old, and beaux decrepid; Lordlings empty and insipid Poets, painters, and musicians; Lawyers, doctors, politicians: Pamphlets, newspapers, and odes Seeking fame by diff'rent roads Gallant souls with empty purses; Gen'rals only fit for nurses; School-boys, smit with martial spirit Taking place of vet'ran merit Honest men who can't get places Knaves who shew unblushing faces; Ruin hasten'd, peace retarded; Candor spurn'd, and art rewarded