Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A47452
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The furmetary a very innocent and harmless poem : in three cantos.
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King, William, 1663-1712.
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1699
(1699)
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Wing K545; ESTC R14947
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3,742
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24
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THE FURMETARY THE FURMETARY A Very Innocent and Harmless POEM In Three CANTO's LONDON Printed and Sold by A. Baldwin near the Oxford-Arms-Inn in Warwick-Lane 1699. THE PREFACE THE Author of the following Poem may be thought to write for Fame and the Applause of the Town but he wholly disowns it for he writes only for the Publick good the Benefit of his Countrey and the Manufacture of England It is well known that Grave Senators have often at the Palace-Yard refresh'd themselves with Barley-Broth in a Morning which has had a very solid Influence on their Councels It is therefore hoped that other Persons may use it with the like success No Man can be Ignorant how of late Years Coffee and Tea in a Morning has prevail'd Nay Cold Waters have obtain'd their Commendation and Wells are Sprung up from Acton to Islington and cross the Water to Lambeth These Liquors have several Eminent Champions of all Professions But there have not been wanting Persons in all Ages that have shewn a true Love for their Country and the proper Diet of it as Watergruel Milk-Porridge Rice-Milk and especially Furmetry both with Plumbs and without to this end several Worthy Persons have Encouraged the Eating such wholsom Dyet in a Morning and that the Poor may be provided they have desired several Matrons to stand at Smithfield-Bars Leaden-Hall-Market Stocks-Market and divers other noted places in the City especially at Fleet-Ditch There to dispense Furmetry to Labouring People and the Poor at Reasonable Rates at Three-half-Pence and Two-Pence a Dish which is not Dear the Plumbs being Consideâ—ed The Places are generally stiled Furmetrys becaused that Food has got the general esteem But that at Fleet-Ditch I take to be one of the most Remarkable and therefore I have stiled it The Furmetary And could easily have had a Certificate of the usefulness of this Furmetary signed by several Eminent Carmen Gardiners Journey-Men-Taylors and Basket-Women who have promis'd to Contribute to the maintenance of the same in Case the Coffee-Houses should proceed to oppose it I have thought this a very proper Subject for an Heroick Poem and endeavoured to be as smooth in my Verse and as inoffensive in my Characters as was possible It is my Case with Lucretius that I write upon a Subject not Treated of by the Ancients But the greater Labour the greater Glory Virgil had a Homer to Imitate but I stand upon my own Legs without any support from abroad I therefore shall have more Occasion for the Readers favour who from the kind acceptance of this may expect the description of other Furmetaries about this City from His Most Humble Servant And per se And. THE FURMETARY CANTO I. NO sooner did the Grey-Ey'd Morning Peep And yawning Mortals stretch themselves from sleep Finders of Gold were now but newly past And Basket-Women did to Market hast The Watchmen were but just returning home To give the Thieves more Liberty to Roam When from a Hill by growing Beams of Light A sâ—â—tely Pile was offered to the Sight Three Spacious Doors let Passengers go through And distant Stones did terminate their view Just here as Ancient Poets Sing there stood The Noble Palace of the Valiant â—ud His Image now appears in Portland Stone Each side supported by a Godlike Son But underneath all the Three Heroes Shine In Living Colours drawn upon a Sign Which shows the way to Ale but not to Wine Near is a Place enclosed with Iron-Bars Where many Mortals Curse their Cruel Stars When brought by Usurers into distress For having Little still must Live on less Stern Avarice keeps the Relentless Door And bids each Wretch Eternally be Poor Hence Hunger rises dismally he Stalks And takes each single Pris'ner in his Walks This Duty done the meager Monster sâ—ares Holds up his Bones and thus begins his Prayers Thou Goddess Famin that Canst send us blights With Parching heat by Day and Storm by Nights Assist me now so may all Lands be thine And shoals of Orphans at thy Altars Pine Long may thy Reign continue on each shore Whereever Peace and Plenty liv'd before I must confess that to thy gracious hand I Widows owe that are at my Command I Joy to hear their Numerous Childrens Cries And bless thy Power to find they 've no supplies I Thank thee for those Martyrs who would flie From Supeâ—â—â—â—ous Riâ—es and Tyranny And find their fullness of reward 〈◊〉 me But 't is with much Humility I own That generous favour you have lately shown When Men that bravely have their Country serv'd Receiv'd the just reward that they deserv'd And are prefer'd to me and shall be starv'd I can but with regret I can despise Innumerable of the London Cries When Pease and Maccarel with their Harsher sound The tender Organs of my Ears confound But that which makes my projects all miscarry Is this Inhuman fatal Furmetary Not far from hence just by the Bridge of Fleet With Spoon and Porringer and Napkin Neat A Faithless Syren does entice the Sence By Fumes of Viands with she does dispence To Mortal Stomachs for rewarding Pence Whilst each Mans earliest Thoughts would banish me Who have no other Oracle but thee CANTO II. WHilst such like Prayers keen Hunger would advance Fainting and Weakness threw him in a Trance Famin took Pity on her careful Slave And kindly to him this Assistance gave She took the Figure of a Thin Parch'd Maid Who many Years had for a Husband staid And coming near to Hunger thus she said My Darling Son whilst Peace and Plenty smile And Happiness would over-run this Isle I Joy to see by this thy present care I 've still some 〈◊〉 remaining since the War In spite of us A. does on Venison seed And Bread and Butter is for B. Decreed C D. combines with E F's generous Soul To pass their Minutes with the sparkling Bowl H I's good Nature from his endless store Is still confering Blessings on the Poor For none except 't is K. regards them more L M N O P Q. is vainly great And squanders half his substance in a Treat Nice Eating by R S. is understood T 's Supper though 't is little yet 't is good V's Conversation's equal to his Wine You sup with W. when e'er you Dine X Y and Z hating to be confin'd Ramble to the next Eating-House they find Pleasant good Humour'd Beautiful and Gay Sometimes with Musick and sometimes with Play Prolong their Pleasures till the approaching Day And per se And alone as Poets use The starving Dictates of my Rules pursues No Swinging Coachman does afore him shine Nor has he any Constant place to dine But all his Notions of a meal are mine Hast hast to him a Blessing give from me And bid him Write sharp things on Furmetry But I would have thee to Coffedro go And let Tobacco too thy business know With Famous Teedrums in this case advice Rely on Sagoe who is always wise Amidst such Counsel banish all