News from Frost-Fair, Upon the River of Thames.  
Being a Description of the BOOTHS, TENTS, Accommodations, Frolics, Sports and Humours, of those Innumerable Crowds of Resorters; the like never Before Published.  
To the Tune of, Come from the Temple to the Bed, etc.  
 

Not many years ago  
There fell a mighty Snow,  
And Houses were built of the same,  
In Cabins so Cold  
Hot Liquors were Sold,  
Where for Novelty sake many came,  
But Eighty three may Boast,  
There na'r was such a Frost,  
In the Memory of any man alive,  
Thousands on the River throng,  
And many safely march along,  
From Kingston upon Thames, to Queen-Hive.   

The Watermen who ply,  
And were used to cry,  
Next Sculler, next Oars, or next Boat,  
Have Built Houses where,  
They did pass with their Fare,  
And also have changed their Note,  
Joe will you drink a Dram,  
Kind Sir or you Madam,  
Walk in, here's good Room and good Fire,  
Also Brandy, Ale, or Wine  
Or be pleased to Sup and Din  
Here is all you can wish or desire,   

Come Let's repair,  
To the Thames there's a Fair,  
No one li 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 knew the like before,  
On the Ice is a Town  
Which till now was never known,  
Built in streets quite from shore unto shore;  
Our Wherrys, Sculls and Oars,  
Must Lie on the Shores,  
While in Tents on the Ice we remain,  
Selling Brandy and Ale,  
'Tis no matter for a Gale,  
Till the Thames clear of Ice be again.   

The Seaman outward bound,  
Lays his Ship on the Ground,  
Or within some good Harbour or Dock,  
And there it must remain,  
Till the Ice is gone again,  
'Tis as good as a Key and a Lock,  
No work can be done,  
Le's a shoye every one,  
No Occasion for the Coxwain an's crew,  
Then above bridge let us go,  
And drink a dram or two,  
With our mess-Mates the Red coats and blue.   

While some go a Broad,  
Both in Field and in Road,  
With their Guns silly Birds to destroy,  
And others here and there,  
Do tract the harmless Hare,  
And the Coneys do cozen and decoy,  
Let us to the Thames,  
On whose frozen streams,  
Strange inventions for pastime is made,  
There is Baked, Boiled, and Roast,  
what e'er we fancy most,  
Ready dressed piping hot to be had.   

Here is Tom the Carman,  
And with him a Spareman;  
Having set up his Cart and his Horses,  
His Wheels he has broke,  
Both Axletree and spoke,  
Better play then to work with such losses;;  
The Channels are so froze,  
That he cannot draw o'er  
Without the Main strength of a Teem,  
Then away Let's be gone,  
Set up Bayard, Buck and Rouen,  
And to Slydeing let's go on the Stream.   

Where shall we go?  
To the Booth here below,  
Or the Sign of the Flying-chamber-pot,  
I do not greatly care,  
Why then let us walk in here,  
I intent for to spend an Old Groat,  
My Grandam used to say,  
Against a Rainy day,  
Lay by such a Sum in a Post,  
But for all her Grey Head,  
I do find as much need,  
'tis provide one against a hard Frost.   

See here comes Nan,  
That sold Fish at the Swan,  
And Nell that sold Herbs at the Crown,  
No Oysters nor Sprats  
But at Excessive Rates,  
Which no Vessels, but Carts Bring to Town;  
Then since neither Nan nor Nell  
Can have Ware for to Sell,  
Let us take them with us on the Ice,  
And we I be as Merry there,  
As at Bartholmew-Fair,  
I am sure never a one them is Nice.   

Here's Ninepins Let's play,  
To pass the Time away,  
I'll hold you a Rubbers or two,  
'Tis done let it be,  
Go First I am three,  
Or no more but a Tip and a go:  
I that is the best sport,  
Our Time being short,  
Then bring for the Rubbers t'other Pot,  
I am most, you have lost,  
Take your money mine Host,  
You are welcome all's paid, is it not.   

To finish my Song,  
I do wish them no wrong,  
Yet I wish that the Ice were away,  
Though some do supply,  
Their Families thereby,  
Yet others it brings to decay,  
I was glad when I saw,  
The weather like to thaw,  
'Twill be hard for the poor should it hold,  
And when the Seasons warm,  
Who wishes for a Storm,  
Or desires to be Frozen wi●●Cold.    

Printed for I Wright, I Clerk, W. Thackeray, and T. Palinger.