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Artwork

The Humours and Diversions of Southwark Fair

Physical Description

Medium
ink
Support
paper
Dimensions
40.6 cm 48.3 cm (Object)
Object Description
Poem, which appears at the bottom of the print, To Mr. Hogarth and his Southwark Fair by John Bancks: "Who can behold, with out a smile, How, 'midst the ruins of the pile, Great Hallam eyes his falling Queen, And sees whatever may be seen: While on the Pole the Monkey swings, And for his life poor Pickle clings; Mimicks alike of humane Rane, Of equal Service in their Place. There Puppet Kings, in Setlles verse The Siege and Fall of Troy rehearse; Or in more lofty numbers tell How Women Stray'd and Mankind fell. From Courts and Camps and antient Days To humbler Shows the Prentice strays; Where Hocus chews the burning Flax, Or where young Lews struts in Wax; To see the mighty Saxon's shape, Or in the Box for Halfpense peep; While doleful Bagpipes grate the Ear, And Booths and Pinchbeck change the Scenes To slight of Hand and Clock Machines. First numerous Eggs are lay's and then The pregnancy Bag brings forth a Hen. So much for nothing at the Door, Within tis wonderful--be sure! See how the Loons with eager stare Own Cupids Reign, ev'n in a Fair! Caught with the painted Drummers Face They long to try the leud Embrace Ah Lads! tis poison all within, To scape the Pain avoid the Sin; Here we the boisterous Tip staff note Seizing a Monarch by the Throat, The Hockly Brave might I rehears How scared, how mounted and how fierce. See Cheat and Whore the Justice part, One picks his Pocket on his Heart: While Six for One invites to Dice Till the gull'd Coxcomb damns the Vice."

History

Collection
Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery Permanent Collection
Credit Line
Gift of Diana Whistler, 2017
Related Exhibitions
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