The Merry-Thought | Page 6

1982. A typical type page (pt. 2. p. 7)
measures 154 x 87 mm. Part 4 is reproduced from the copy in the
Bodleian Library, Oxford (Shelf Mark: Douce T. 168[5]).

The
MERRY-THOUGHT:
or, the
Glass-Window and Bog-House
MISCELLANY.
Taken from
The Original Manuscripts written in Diamond by Persons of the first
Rank and Figure in Great Britain; relating to Love, Matrimony,
Drunkenness, Sobriety, Ranting, Scandal, Politicks, Gaming, and many
other Subjects, Serious and Comical.
Faithfully Transcribed from the Drinking-Glasses and Windows in the
several noted Taverns, Inns, and other Publick Places in this Nation.
Amongst which are inserted several curious Pieces from both
Universities.
Published by HURLO THRUMBO.
Gameyorum, Wildum, Gorum, Gameyorum a Gamy, Flumarum a
Flumarum, A Rigdum Bollarum A Rigdum, for a little Gamey.

Bethleham-Wall, Moor-Fields.

PART II.
The SECOND EDITION.
LONDON:
Printed for J. ROBERTS in Warwick-Lane; and Sold by the
Booksellers in Town and Country. [Price 6 d.]

N. B. The Editor returns his hearty Thanks to those Gentlemen who
have favoured him with their Letters, and intreats that they will be so
good as to continue to communicate whatever they shall meet with of
this Kind to the Publisher.

THE
MERRY-THOUGHT.

PART II.

INTRODUCTION.
You will pardon the Editor that he does not put Things better in Order;
but he is so engaged in reading the Letters sent him in from the two
Universities, after the Publication of the First Part, that he believes the
Preface is in the Middle of the Book; but I dare swear you'll find it
somewhere or other, and so read on.

In Trinity-College Bogs.
Ye Cantabs mind when ye are sh - - t - - ng, How nearly 'tis allied to
Writing. ----To Writing, say you? ----pray how so? An uncouth Simile, I
trow.
----Hold, pray ---- Condemn it not untry'd; Hear only how it is apply'd.
As learned Johnian wracks his Brain---- Thinks, ----hems, ----looks
wise, ----then thinks again;---- When all this Preparation's done, The
mighty Product is ---- a Pun.
So some with direful strange Grimaces, Within this Dome distort their
Faces; Strain, ----squeeze, ----yet loth for to depart, Again they
strain--for what? a Fart.
Hence Cantabs take this moral Trite, 'Gainst Nature, if ye think or sh - -
te; Use all the Labour, all the Art, 'Twill ne'er exceed a Pun, or Fart.
Red-Lion, Egham.
Coquets will always merry prove; } But Prudes are those give down
their love; } And love and move, and move to love. }
Underwritten.
A Prude for my Money, by G - - d.
T. S. 1711.
Written on the Looking-Glass of Mr. T - - p - - n, Fellow-Commoner of
Trinity-College, Cambridge.
Imago in Speculo loquitur ad T - - p - - n.
I.
Thou pretty little fluttering Thing, That mak'st this gaudy Shew; Thou
senseless Mimick of a Man, Thou Being, call'd a Beau.

II.
Like me thou art an empty Form, Like me alone, thou'rt made; Like me
delusive seem'st a Man, But only art a Shade.
Tuns in Cambridge, Window facing a certain Alderman's in the Market.
Is Molly Fr---- immortal? ----No. She is; and I will prove her so. She's
fifteen now, and was, I know, Fifteen, full fifteen Years ago.
Underwritten.
The Fates from Heaven late came Post; And thus address'd this
Cambridge Toast.
Say happy Maid that can detain Old hoary Time in fetter'd Chain, What
wouldst thou have to set him free, And give thy captive Liberty?
Miss Molly call'd Mamma aside, ---- Whisper'd awhile, then thus
reply'd;
Upon my Life, all I would have From Victor is to be a Slave; I'll soon
untie this Captive's Hands; ---- Tie me but fast in Hymen's Bands.
On the Same on another Pane.
At Home Miss Molly's scarce fifteen. Mamma says she's no more; But
if the Parish-Book says true, Miss Molly's thirty four. Poor Miss
Molly!
Wrote on Cor---- Cr----d's (a Printer and Bookseller in Cambridge)
Window in the Shop.
Ye longing Sophs, say it who can, That Corny's not a learned Man. He
knows well each Edition, Sir, Of Aldus, and of Elzevir; Of Beza he
profoundly reasons, And talks jocose of Harry Stephens. Though (says
a Wag) all this I grant, Yet Corny sure must Learning want. How so?
----It's plain, (if that we may B'lieve what Men of themselves do say,)
For Corny's openly* confess'd. He's but a Blockhead at the best.

* Corny, in Printing a Latin Book, censur'd by the University, was
forced to plead Ignoramus to save his Bacon.
Another in the Shop, on C----'s Title Page
LEARNING.
Within this learn'd Receptacle of Arts, Corny, if ask'd, on each can
shew his Parts; Alike a Newton, or a Ratcliffe prove; A Coke in
Law----an Etheridge in Love.-- Reason profound----in