From "Trivia, or the Art of Walking the Streets of London", 1715-17.

Let not the Ballad-Singer's shrilling Strain
Amid the Swarm thy list'ning Ear detain:
Guard well thy Pocket; for these Syrens stand
To aid the Labours of the diving Hand;
Confed'rate in the Cheat, they draw the Throng,
And Cambrick Handkerchiefs reward the Song.

The whole poem is a terrific description of urban chaos.