Scripscrapologia or, Collins's Doggerel Dish Of All Sorts. Consisting of Songs Adapted to familiar Tunes, And which may be sung without the Chaunterpipe of an Italian Warbler, or the ravishing Accompaniments of Tweedle-Dum or Tweedle-Dee. Particularly those which have been most applauded in the author's once popular performance, call'd, The Brush. The Gallimaufry garnished with a variety of comic tales, quaint epigrams, whimsical epitaphs, &c. &c. [by John Collins] |
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THE BLESSINGS OF SCARCITY, A Song. |
 | Scripscrapologia |  |
THE BLESSINGS OF SCARCITY, A Song.
When I wallow'd in Plenty I liv'd like a Pig,
And my daily delight was to stuff and to swig,
But of plenty cut short, I've embrac'd a new plan,
As I've learn'd from short commons to live like a Man.
And my daily delight was to stuff and to swig,
But of plenty cut short, I've embrac'd a new plan,
As I've learn'd from short commons to live like a Man.
Gout and Cholic, by turns made me grumble and groan,
And I kick'd in the fits with the Gravel and Stone;
While with Hectic and Phthysic I panted for breath,
And by Surfeits, I courted an Alderman's death;
And I kick'd in the fits with the Gravel and Stone;
While with Hectic and Phthysic I panted for breath,
And by Surfeits, I courted an Alderman's death;
Quack Drops for digestion I bought at the shops,
And then Pills for purgation succeeded the drops;
While a full Crown a day, to save family slaughter,
Went out of my pocket to buy Surfeit Water!
And then Pills for purgation succeeded the drops;
While a full Crown a day, to save family slaughter,
Went out of my pocket to buy Surfeit Water!
Yet our Paunches, like Pigs, we kept cramming apace,
And, like Pigs we fell to, without saying of Grace!
For such queer things as Graces before meat and after,
With a mighty good grace we made subjects of laughter.!
And, like Pigs we fell to, without saying of Grace!
For such queer things as Graces before meat and after,
With a mighty good grace we made subjects of laughter.!
But now, what a Blessing! like Christians complete,
Stead of meat without Grace, we have Grace without meat!
And for appetites good as we're ne're at a loss,
If we've not the best Meat, we've at least the best Sauce.
Stead of meat without Grace, we have Grace without meat!
And for appetites good as we're ne're at a loss,
If we've not the best Meat, we've at least the best Sauce.
For with Stomachs sharp set, when it falls in our way,
We as sharply fall to,—as poor Sharp in the Play;
And a Blessing it is that short meals give no cause,
To wear out our Teeth or to tire our Jaws.
We as sharply fall to,—as poor Sharp in the Play;
And a Blessing it is that short meals give no cause,
To wear out our Teeth or to tire our Jaws.
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And 'tis likewise a truth which ought not to be cloak'd,
We with cramming too much run no risque to be choak'd;
While this Blessing springs from our hung'ring and thirsting,
That, with stuffing too full, there's no fear of our bursting.
We with cramming too much run no risque to be choak'd;
While this Blessing springs from our hung'ring and thirsting,
That, with stuffing too full, there's no fear of our bursting.
Then should Times chop about, and replenish our store,
And we all eat and drink and get merry once more;
Our Scarcities past, we as Blessings may prize,
If, in future, they make us both merry and wise.
And we all eat and drink and get merry once more;
Our Scarcities past, we as Blessings may prize,
If, in future, they make us both merry and wise.
| Scripscrapologia | |