Canidia, or, The witches a rhapsody, in five parts / by R.D.

CANTO IX.

A Pseudo-Daemon haunts the Town. Beats poor Folk, and throws 'um down; Wou'd I could light on this cheating Lown. Wou'd I cou'd find this unlucky Sot, I'de chop him as small as Herbs to the Pot. I'de hang him, and rost him like a Dog, Or smoak him for a Bacon Hog.

Also, there's a Cant of Bitches, That pass for counterfeit Witches. Gypsies all, and Ballad Sellers, Juglers, Smuglers, Fortune-Tellers, Palmestry and Lottery Spellers. Spirits, Sharks, and Kidnappers, And such like nimble Snipper-Snappers. Of Girls and Boys, Dye-Dappers, Men and Women Entrappers.

Cutpurses, all sorts of Trepanners, Without all Honesty, Wit or Manners. Stargazers, Pedlars, Interlopers, Tinkers, Tumblers, Dancing Ropers. Rat-catchers, Relique-Mongers, Bully-Rocks, Hectorean Dongers. Figure-Flingers Circulators, Almanack Prognosticators. Nativity Calculators, Fantastick, Enthusiastick Quakers.

Canting, Pretending Bewitchers, For Beer and Porridge carry Pitchers. They ••ram good Lug into their Laps, Rake Dressers for Marrow-Bones and Scraps, With large hanging down Paps. Indeed, I'le have you by the Lugs, For selling, frothing unconscionable Jugs, To feast your hungry Imps and Pugs.

Charwomen, Whores, the House command, Filching all that comes to hand. Sharking Drabs, Kennel Rakers, Ingrossers, Forestallers, Impropriators, Insignificant Falsificators. Counterfeit Rings and Jewels shining, Gold Lace, Money clipping and coyning, Ends of Gold and Silver purloyning. All kind of Honesty resigning, And all Roguery refining. Cutpurses live by their Fingers, Hobby Horses, and Ballad Singers.

Fencers, Pipers, Horoscopers. Poachers, Broom-men, Kentstreet-Brokers. Tom a Bedlams, Jack a Dandies, Jack Puddings, Mountebanks, Merry Andr'es. Of all Trades, Jacks and Jills, That serve with, or against their wills. Madam Nurses, Madam Washers, Madam Dressers, Cutters and Slashers.

All sorts of Wet and Dry Nurses, Ladies, look to your Purses. Quarter Waiters, Quarter Rockers. Chymists, Confectionary Dockers.

Madams Gossips, Madams Tirers, Madams what you will Requirers, Madams unseasonable Desirers. Madams Skullions and Wash-dishes, Madams Kings and Queens Fishers, And all sorts of Court Well-wishers.

A Ribble Rabble of old Jades, That trade in Wenches for young Blades, And Misses for old Cuckolades. Stillers of Puppydog-Waters, Black Patches and Beauty Spot makers. Washes, Paintings, Cordial Drops, Essences, and Elixars for Fops. Proctors, Undertakers, Projectors, Bumbayliffs, Excise Collectors.

Horseleeches, Quacks, Farriers, News, Gazets, and Letter Carriers. Scurvy-Grass, Simplers, Drugsters, Monopolizers, Hucksters. Gamesters, Deer-stealers, Pickeroons. Tripo's, Jesters and Buffoons, Thievish Hostlers and Grooms. Catamits, Bardashes, Orphean Boys, Lustful Trinkets and Toys.

Amulets, Pictures, Pilgrims Ware, To be sold at every Fare. Beads, Roses, Swords, Banners, Rings, Puppets, Bells, Consecrated Things. Conjuring Praestigiators, Legerdemain Operators. Jack in a Lanthorn, Whipping Tom, Will of the Wisp, and Tom Thumb.

Women Dancers, Puppet Players, At Bartholomew and Sturbridge Fairs. Or, if you light among the Furies, They shall be Ignoramus Juries. Take in rank Casuists and Schoolmen, Resolving Cases to befool men. Pox-Curators and Red Noses, Cooks and Caterers for Quelque Choses. Secret Mysteries Disclosers, Of other mens Estates disposers.

Assurancers, Projectors, State Engagers, Dy-Coggers, Betters and Wagers. Fallacious Sophisticators, Abominable Adulterators. Pragmatical Agitators, Busie-body Innovators. Journy-men Hacknies, and Tale-Bearers. Cursers, Blasphemers, Dammers and Swearers, Ranting-Rory-Tory-Ground-Tearers.

Counterfeits of Bonds and Indentures, Sellers of Publick Faith and Debentur's, To Knaves and Fools at all a ventures. Prophets, Contingencies Revealers, Men and Women and Horse-Stealers. Parasites, Poor Robins, Carvers, Strangers, Orphans and Widow-Starvers.

‘ Pardon, Reader, this long digression, ‘ To shew th'Abuse of my Profession. ‘ By them that ne're had true Possession, ‘ Nor were never brought to Confession

Poor, pitiful Pretenders, Scrape-Trenchers and Table Tenders, All miserable Offenders.

Inconsiderable Rascalado's, That strut, and make great Bravado's, Lye perdue in Ambuscado's, Go a begging in Masquerado's. Illiterate Rogues and Whores, Creep under the Stairs and behind the Doors. Sollicitors in Camp and Court, Off'ring at Bus'ness of Import, Do mischief and make sport.

At silent Meetings Witches are Spies, For smirking Girls with rowling Eyes. To pick up young, fresh dainty Lasses, Tender and brittle as Venice Glasses, Send 'um about with Tickets and Passes. We do for our Gallants many a Job, Hungry, and ready the Spittle to rob. And truly we give them many a bob, And make the poor Fools cry and sob.

They shall play them mad Pranks, 'Till they crimple in the Shanks. Here they stand in Rank and File, She's yours, to whom you lend a Smile. She shall come to your Relief, To whom you give a Handkerchief. O Dear Sir, you're the sweetest Man, I'le do you Service the best I can, But shew your self a Gentleman.

Bedlam, Newgate, Bridewel Brats, Swear and tear like Dogs and Cats. See how these Varlets fly all in Sholes, For fear into their Skulking Holes. See how they watch and play Bo-peep, At fast and loose, at hold and keep, I'le shortly lull the Rogues asleep.