Note 55 — BARBERS' FORFEITS.
Reading edition
Review of Johnson's Shakespeare, 1765, p. 42. Rules for seemly Behaviour. First come, first serve—then come not late; And when arrived, keep your state; For he who from these rules shall swerve, Must pay the forfeits—so observe. Who enters here with boots and spurs, Must keep his nook, for if he stirs, And give with armed heel a kick, A pint he pays for ev'ry prick. Who rudely takes another's turn, A forfeit mug may manners learn. Who reverentless shall swear or curse, Must lug seven farthings from his purse. Who checks the barber in his tale, Must pay for each a pot of ale. Who will or cannot miss his hat While trimming, pays a pint for that. And he who can or will not pay, Shall hence be sent half-trimm'd away, For will he nill he, if in fault He forfeit must in meal or malt. But mark, who is alreads in drink, The cannikin must never clink!