The Virginia Gazette

Upon reducing the National Interest, now on Foot in England.

I N vain at our Vices the Parsons exclaim,
The Beau is embroider'd, brocaded the Dame :
Their Preaching avails not. --- See how they're outdone
By a Scheme that is father'd by pious Sir J--o--N :
Our Int'rest reduc'd, our Expences must leen,
And so will our Sins. --- Won't this be a Blessing!
In vile Masquerades nothing now can be spent,
Nor can H---E ---R open Ridotto's in Lent;
To Opera Subscriptions 'twill take off the Itch,
And H---L and F------p will die in a Ditch,
And with 'em likewise our fam'd Harlequin R---CH. M
The Ladies of Pleasure, now under Tuition
Of Old Mother H---. D, and train'd for Fruition,
Instead of Rack Punch, with the Spread-Eagle Jellies,
Must be glad of Leak Broth to fill their damn'd Bellies.
Of Strangers no more shall we bear the Reproaches,
That here the Physicians make Visits in Coaches ;
His full-bottom'd Wig the proud Lawyer must quit,
And his Chariot with Springs the extravagant Cit :
The Tradesmen no longer his Spouse shall regale
At Stepney (on Sundays) with Buns and with Ale.
'Tis hard upon them: but the Bullies and the Beaus
Must all stay at Home, for want of fine Cloaths.
So godly a Change! who will dare to gain-say ? ----
Religion will Flourish, tho' our Trade will decay.
Thus with Poverty blest, we shall starve by Degrees,
And plainly illustrate the Tale of the Bees.

* The Spread-Eagle Chocolate-House, Famous for Jellies.