The Humours of Frost Fair

All you that are curious downright,
And fond of seeing every sigh,
If to the Thames you had repair?d,
You might have seen a famous fair,
Divesrions of every kind you?d see,
With parties drinking coffee and tea,
And dancing too I do declare,
Upon the Thames they call Frost Fair.

It was really curious for to see,
Both young and old so full of glee,
They drinking booths they enter?d in,
And call?d away for purl and gin;
Some play?d at theradle my needle Nan,
The lasses slipt down as they ran.
Which made men quite full of glee,
The young girls legs all for to see.

There watermen so neat and trim,
With bottles fill?d with Old Tom?s gin,
And others bawl?d among the throng,
Who?s for a glass of Sampson strong;
Here?s nuts and gingerbread who buys?
Come boys and win my mutton pies,
Come ladies they?re both hot and nice,
Fear now to eat one on the ice.

Boys, men, and women, not a few,
Upon the ice they ventur?d too,
And swings there were I do declare,
To take a ride up in the air;
And booths wherein you might regale,
And have a pint of beer or ale,
And skittle playing I do declare,
Upon the Thames they call Frost Fair.

Now to conclude my icy song,
I?m glad to see the frost is gone,
And ships and barges all afloat.
And watermen rowing of their boats;
Black diamond barges to appear.
That coals they may not be so dear,
So toss a bumper off with cheer,
And bid adieu to frosty fair.

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