The following lines by Charles, Earl of Dorset and Middlesex (the writer of
the famous old song "To all you ladies now at land"), are an instance of
the application of this term to the turbulent link-boys, against whom the
proclamation quoted by MR. CUNNINGHAM was directed. Their date is probably
a short time before that of the proclamation:
"Belinda's sparkling wit and eyes,
United cast so fierce a light,
As quickly flashes, quickly dies;
Wounds not the heart, but burns the sight.
Love is all gentleness, Love is all joy;
Sweet are his looks, and soft his pace:
_Her_ Cupid _is a black-guard boy,_
_That runs his link full in your face_."