Running it by...

THE RULES AND ORDERS OF THE COFFEE HOUSE

Enter, Sirs, freely, but first, if you please,

Peruse our civil orders, which are these.



First, gentry, tradesmen, all are welcome hither,

And may without affront sit down together:

Pre-eminence of place none here should mind,

But take the next fit seat that he can find:

Nor need any, if finer persons come,

Rise up to assigne to them his room;

To limit men's expence, we think not fair,

But let him forfeit twelve-pence that shall swear;

He that shall any quarrel here begin,

Shall give each man a dish t' atone the sin;

And so shall he, whose compliments extend

So far to drink in coffee to his friend;

Let noise of loud disputes be quite forborne,

No maudlin lovers here in corners mourn,

But all be brisk and talk, but not too much,

On sacred things, let none presume to touch.

Nor profane Scripture, nor sawcily wrong

Affairs of state with an irreverent tongue:

Let mirth be innocent, and each man see

That all his jests without reflection be;

To keep the house more quiet and from blame,

We banish hence cards, dice, and every game;

Nor can allow of wagers, that exceed

Five shillings, which ofttimes much trouble breed;

Let all that's lost or forfeited be spent

In such good liquor as the house doth vent.

And customers endeavour, to their powers,

For to observe still, seasonable hours.

Lastly, let each man what he calls for pay,

And so you're welcome to come every day.



Keith.

scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1794/7463/Kelly_Intile.pdf