Christopher Smart

“ A better play fellow than dreaming.)
Curse on the author of these wrongs,
In her own bed she found the tongs,
(Hang Thomas for an idle joker!)
30In her own bed she found the poker; [1]
With salt box, pepper box, and kettle,
With all the culinary metal.—
Be warn'd, ye fair, by Susan's crosses,
Keep chaste, and guard yourselves from losses;
35 For if young girls delight in kissing,
No wonder, that the poker's missing.
1752 Notes First published in The Midwife; or The Old Woman's Magazine (iii. 103-5, Aug. 1752) . Reprinted 1758, 1791. ”