The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal

POET'S CORNER.

For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.

The humble PETITION of NELL and KATE, two sorrowful wives, of two quondam industrious husbands, to the G— C—— for the repeal of the late fatal destructive Vendue act.

May it please your Honours to ordain
To th' ancient form of evening sales—
That Auctions be restored again,
In troth! good reason countervails
On our part, against the mode,
Practis'd of late, as far from good!
Day sales may suit the shops indeed,
But our poor husbands can't be freed
From labour 'till the sun is set,
And then for them it is too late!
The sales are over! hence of course
They from us fly (without remorse)
To taverns, where their money's spent
While we the selling loss lament!
Not so in former times—for they,
When their day's work was done, away
Would haste to vendues, and would buy,
With well earn'd cash, for our supply
Check, linens, stuffs, and handkerchiefs.
And bring them home to us their wives.
But now we're naked and forlorn!
Our husbands' oats, their money gone!
If we complain, 'tis b—h or w—e,
Or something worse! We must deplore
This change in once industrious men,
Who have to us kind husbands been,
To cruel tyrants! All in fact,
Is chiefly owing to this act!
Wherefore we plead (the cause reveal'd)
This fatal act may be repeal'd.—
N. and K.