The Severall Places where You May hear News.

At Childbed when fine Goſſips1 meet
fair Stories2 there are told,
But if they get a Cup too much
their Tongues they cannot hold

To Church fine Ladies doe reſort
new faſhions for to ſpy
And others go to Church ſometimes
to ſhew their Bravery

At Market when good houſwifes meet
their Ma3rketts being done
Together they will crack a Pott
before they can go home

The Hot houſe makes a rough skin ſmooth
and do hit beautify
Fyne Goſſips uſe it once a weeke
their skins to purify

The Bakehouſe is a place you know
where Maids a Story hold
And of their Miſtreſſes will prat4e
they muſt not be contrould.

At the Conduit5 ſtriving for their turne
the Quarrell growes ſo great
That up in Armes they are at laſt
and one another beat

At Alehonſe you see, how Joviall they be
With every one his Noggen
For6 unti7ll the Scull and the Belly be full
None of them will be jogging.

In waſhing at the Riverſide
good Houſewifes take Delight
But scolding Slutts care not to work8
like wrangling Queans they fight9.

Notes

  1. See the encyclopedia for more information about gossip and gossips in early modern London. (JT)
  2. Gap in inking; missing letter is obvious from context.
  3. Gap in inking; missing letter is obvious from context.
  4. Gap in inking; gap supplied using British Print Images from 1700’s Print of the Month essay from December 2006. (JT)
  5. In the woodcut image, the Conduit is labelled as the Conditte. (JT)
  6. Gap in inking; missing letter is obvious from context. (JT)
  7. Gap in inking; missing letter is obvious from context. (JT)
  8. Ink smudged; missing letter is obvious from context. (JT)
  9. Ink smudged; missing letter is obvious from context. (JT)

References