A SHIELDS SOLILOQUY.

Ah! what's to come on us a' now? (A Shields gowk was heard, grumbling, to say) We now find it far ower true, That Newcassel has getten the day: They'd only been gulling our folk, When they sent us down that fine letter; But aw think 'twas too much a joke, To tell us we'd getten the better. Rum ti iddity, &c. Was't this made our guns fire sae loud? Did our bells for this ring sae merry? For this our ships swagger'd sae proud? Faith, we've been in too big a hurry! But our Star, they said, could de ought, And the Treasury quickly would gull— Our Butcher was clever, we thought; But aw think he's come hyem like a feul. Rum ti iddity, &c. Yet our plan we all thought was good; For we'd build them large cellars and kees; It likewise might be understood, Docks and warehouses tee, if they'd please. Then we try'd to set in full view, That the Revenue it would increase; Especially as we stood now, When we thought ourselves snugly at peace. Rum ti iddity, &c. But the Newcassel folk now, it seems, Had sent some deep jockies te Lunnin, And they suen upset all our schemes, Which we thought se clever and cunnin: For Big-Wig, who mounts the Wool-sack, Said, That he plainly saw we were wrang, Since it had been prov'd in a crack, By the Jockey, whose Arm they call STRANG. Rum ti iddity, &c. But what's warse than losing our Branch, Is being spoil'd in our grand speculation; For 'stead of our shining se staunch, We now meet wi' nought but vexation. Now certainly we must be wrang, The Barbers are swearing and raving, Our faces are all grown se lang, They'll double the price of our shaving!!! Rum ti iddity, &c.