Jane, XI

The country jew’ler made an extra call, And urged his trinkets for the coming ball; Round to the back he plied his hollow trash, And smil’d in secret as he told the cash. (The cunning fellow thought this was, of course, A splendid chance, some of his wares to force;— He guess’d aright—for housemaids, cooks, and scullion Bought his mosaic, contentedly, for bullion.) A genteel “Packman,” who for years had made His regular calls, now, following up his trade With silks, and satins, cottons, every shade— Avowing cheapness, with a wondrous knack— Consid’rably reduced his holy pack: All gather’d ’round him with an earnest zeal: His India silks, if not, were looking real: So one and all, including old John Swift, Bought something of the man before he left,— Determin’d were they to be prim and gay Upon their noble master’s wedding-day.

A hawker of watches and jewellery.

Among the servants.

A wandering draper.