The HUMAN LEECHES; Or Usuring Bloodsuckers

A Set of knaves whom wanton fortune rais'd From utmost want, and all their cravings eased, Save the low calls that sordid wealth inspires With vain accumulating base desires; Their trade is thus—when once a man is low, Their pimps his ev'ry circumstance will know; They understand that he must borrow soon, For which those leeches take a trifling boon, Fifty per cent, or so, if times are hard, They only ask as suitable reward; Or if the borrowing party be in debt, 'Tis by the month their useful gold they let, Five pounds per hundred is their standing rule, They get it ready from each needy fool.

The first of these was once a ragged clown, But now he ranks with quality in town. The two first letters of his name you have By Isaac Why-scoff, fortune's faithful slave. Deep Johny Sp—r—kite comes in the next; When needy folks are scarce—the miser's vext He feels a joy when others feel a pain, Because the prospect brightens for his gain; It speaks a soul deprav'd to low degree To joy at anguish, grief and misery.

There's P—t and Jack-stone and a number more, That's known to Jews for having mouldy store.

Should some good neighbour want a needy meal, And ev'ry call of craving hunger feel; Or tell his strong necessity and want, Those hardened misers would his sufferings taunt, Laugh at the hardships which he could not miss, And pining virtue brand with envy's hiss. Had heav'n no thunder for such men design'd, 'Twere sweet to nurse the idol in the mind, But times will come when all their gold will fail, Nor cent per cent a single whit prevail.