Of all the trades agoing now,

A begging it's the worst, Sir,

Tho’ later it seemed in this good town,

To be the very first, Sir.

It throve so well in every street,

With other trades so blended,

That ‘twas determined at the last,

The city should be mended.

Oh no! Mendicity's the way to mend-a-city

Oh no! Mendicity's the way, &c.

An Association then was formed,

Of Gentlemen of all ranks;

Who all the Beggars straightway warned,

That they should quit their old pranks.

They drove those objects from our streets,

To Rick Burke's stores they sent them;

Where they will keep them with good will,

As long as they can rent them,

Oh no! Mendicity, &c.

The better part of all this scheme,

Is that the poor are well off;

They work all day, it is most true,

But when their work they sell off.

One half they get, with meat and drink,

In short they are quite frisky;

When in the evening home they hi[d]e,

To take their tea and whiskey

Oh no! Mendicity, &c.

Pale typhus no longer stalks,

At early day or later,

Nor will you in our public walks

Infected beggar mee, Sir,

Your Ladies may a-shopping go,

And whilst they purchase ___ pity,

And in a box a shilling drop,

’Twill help to Mend-the-city.

Oh no! Mendicity, &c.

It's now you’ll meet in every street,

Good humour and the next Sir;

Whilst to effect good, so complete,

Your mite you won't refuse, Sir.

And all is done, you can't but see,

With an intent the best, Sir,

To make this town as it should be,

First city of the west, Sir.

Oh no! Mendicity, &c.