Christopher Smart

“ And laid in insolent position,
Among us people of condition?
Back to the helper in the stable,
20 Scour the close-stool, or wash-house table;
Or cleanse some horsing block, or plank,
Nor dare approach us folks of rank. ”

“ When on roast beef, strong beer, and sturgeon,
55 Joyous to breakfast they set round,
Nor were asham'd to eat a pound.
These were the manners, these the ways,
In good Queen Bess's golden days;
Each damsel ow'd her bloom and glee,
60 To wholesome elbow-grease, and me,
“But now they center all their joys
In empty rattle traps and noise.
Thus where the Fates send you, they send
Flagitious times, which ne'er will mend,
65Till some Philosopher can find,
A Scrubbing-Brush to scour the mind."
1753 Notes First published in The Midwife; or The Old Woman's Magazine (iii. 134-6, June. 1753) . ”

“ And with the mop, my old associate,
The family affairs negociate.—
Am foe to filth, and things obscene,
40 Dirty by making others clean.—
Not shining, yet I cause to shine,
My roughness makes my neighbours fine ”