THE LOOKING-GLASS. (Bound up to Port Annapolis)

Bound up to Port Annapolis, The famous Beau Metropolis Of Maryland, of small Renown, When Anna first wore England's Crown, Is now grown rich and opulent; The awful Seat of Government. Well mounted on my aged Pacer, In youthful Days, had been a Racer, For Severn Banks, my Course I steer'd; And spurring Jack, no Danger fear'd; Within the City Walls appear'd, As AEthon, Courser of the Sun, Had half his Race exactly run; There having first secur'd my Prancer, To Stable nimbly did advance, Sir. I pass'd AEstrea's Temple Gates, Where the High Court of Delegates Assembled were, with Resolution, To fortify their Constitution, By Laws, that should, to say no more, The Common-Weal to Health restore; Consumptive is, and sickly grown; As shall in proper Place be shewn; Reduc'd to Penury indeed, By seeding on this Indian Weed.

FOR Remedy, both Houses joyn, To settle here a Current Coin, Without Exception, such as may, Our Publick Dues and Clergy pay. Grown Worldly wise, unwilling are, To be put off with Neighbours Fare; Hold Predial Tythes, secure in Bags, Better than Paper made of Rags: The Scribes likewise, and Pharisees, Infected with the same Disease, On Paper Money look a squint, Care not to be made Fools in Print. Thus what is meant for Publick Good, I find to be misunderstood, And taken in the worser Sense, By those, care not for Paper Pence. And tho' this Scheme should prove in vain, The Case to me seems very plain; Said I to Planter standing by, And was for Paper Currency: It's Money, be it what it will, In Tan-Pit coin'd, or Paper-Mill, That must the hungry Belly fill, When summon'd to attend the Court, Held at the Magisterial Port.

So far, said he, with you I joyn; Am glad to find your Thoughts suit mine: And with Submission to the State, I have a Project in my Pate, May prove the Making of this Land, If executed out of Hand; Which is to give my Fancy vent, Within my Pericranium Pent. The levelling a standing Coin, It matters not what Sort of Mine It issues from, since ev'ry Thing Is worth no more than it will bring.

Suppose a Statute Law was made, For the Encouragement of Trade; And Men of various Occupations, Within his Majesty's Plantations, That Copper Money, Tin, or Brass, Throughout America should pass: Which Coin shou'd the King's Image bear; In equal Worth be ev'ry where: Not subject to be clipt by Shears, Like Yellow-Boys, have lost their Ears; But as a Free-born Subject range, Of different Size, for ready Change.

THIS Dialogue was scarce begun, As on the Walks we took a turn, When sudden Noise alarm'd our Ears, Filling the Town with Hopes and Fears, That seem'd to Eccho from the Hive; Whereat I grew inquisitive, To know the Meaning of such Clamour; Says One, in Drink, that made him stammer, The Reason's this, if you must know it, The House divided is, old Poet, In voting for the Money Bill; Which, tho' compos'd with wondrous Skill, Will never pass, I dare be bold, A Pipe of Wine on it to hold.

THIS said, resolv'd on t'other Dose, To Tavern steer'd an Oblique Course: Which standing almost within Hollow, I did his drunken Worship follow; Seem'd by his reeling thro' the Street, To be much founder'd in his Feet. So reach'd the Bacchanalian Mansion, Before the Host had gave him Sanction. And meeting with young Politicians, Dull antiquated State Physicians; Replenishing their thirsty Souls With Lemon Punch, in flowing Bowls. Not waiting long for Invitation; At Fire Side took up my Station; As others did; were grown profuse, Inspir'd by the potent Juice, On the Proceedings of that Day, Whilst some at Dice, pass'd Time away: When one dubb'd Esqr; by Mistake, His wise Remarks began to make, On the new Plan for raising Pence, Protesting, tho' it was the Sense Of some, that sat in the wise Mote, He cou'd not safely give his Vote, For such an odd contriv'd Intention, As e'er was laid before Convention: Alledging, Planters, when in drink, Wou'd light their Pipes with Paper Chink; And knowing not to read, might be Impos'd on, by such Currency.

THESE Reasons, Laughter did create; The Subject was of our Debate; 'Till Midnight, in her Sable Vest, Persuaded Gods and Men to Rest; And with a pleasing kind Surprize, Indulg'd soft Slumber to my Eyes. I call'd the drowsy Passive Slave, To light me to my downy Grave: Where instantly I was convey'd, By one that pass'd for Chamber-Maid, Close by the Side of Planter laid. Curious to know from whence he came, I boldly crav'd his Worship's Name. And tho' the Don at first seem'd sly, At length he made this smart Reply.

I am, says he, that Cocherouse, Once entertain'd you at his House, When aged Roan, not us'd to falter, If you remember, slipt his Halter; Left Sotweed Factor in the Lurch, As Presbyterians leave the Church: However, since we here are met, Let's, by Consent, take t'other Whet Before we sleep; Content, said I; Here, Gipsy, to the Cellar fly, And bring us up a Flask of Clarret; Since we are quarter'd in this Garret. I think a Bottle has more Charms, Than can be found in Morpheus Arms: But finding the Mullatto fled, To Chimney Nook, her native Bed; And Night far spent, we thought it best, To let the AEthiopian rest: So gravely fell to Argument, On the late Act of Parliament; The Growth of Sotweed to prevent, And give our Staple freer Vent. And thus the Planter first began, This Matter seriously to scan; As in next Canto you will find, Exactly copy'd from his Mind.