The Scolding WIFE.
To a pleasant New Tune.
[87.]There was a young man for lucre of gain
he lov'd a Widow well,
His friends did tell him often and plain,
in scolding she did excel.
Why that is no matter, quoth he,
so I may have her Bags of Gold,
Let her not spare to Brawl and Scold,
for I'll be as merry, as merry can be.
This Woodcock wedded his hearts desire,
a Widow with Money enough;
They was not so soon out of the Quire,
ee'r she began to snuff.[139]
Methink you be very fine,
you can no quicker get you hence,
Without such large and great expence,
of Sugar'd Sops and Musick to dine.
They was not all at supper set,
or at the board sate down,
E'er she began to brawl and scold,
and call'd him a peaking Clown:
That nothing could he doe
that was pleasing in her sight,
But still she scolded day and night,
which made this merry man's heart full of woe.
If he had provided any good cheer,
for him and her alone,
Then she wou'd a said, with words more hot,
you might a done this of your own;
If sparingly he will be,
then she would have said, with words more hot,
I will not be pinch'd of what I brought,
but of mine own I will be free.
That nothing he could doe,
that was pleasing in his sight
But still she scolded day and night,
which made this merry man's heart full of woe.
A hundred times he curst
the Priest, the Clerk, the Sexton too.
And tongue that did the Widow wooe
and legs that brought him first.
It fell out upon a day
that with his friends he did devise
To break her of her scolding guise,
and what they did they shall be wary;
They got and tyed her Arms,
she could not them undoe.
And many other pretty Charms
they used her unto.
Her Petticoat was rent and torn,
upon her Back they did put on,
They tore her smock sleeves all along,
as if a Bedlam she had been born;
Her hair about her head they shook,
all with a Bramble bush.
They ring her Arms in every crook
till out the blood did gush,
And with an Iron Chain
fast by the leg he did her tye
There within an old dark House by;
so soon he went away again;
And with a countenance so sad
he did his Neighbours call.
Quoth he my Wife is Mad,
she doth so rave and brawl;
Help Neighbours all therefore,
to see if that you can reclaim,
My Wife into her Wits again
for she is troubled wondrous sore,
FINIS.
Printed for B. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in Pye Corner.
[139] To take umbrage.
[82.] A Cardinall of Rome had a goodly faire house new built, but the broken brickes, tiles, sand, lime, stones, and such rubbish as are commonly the remnants of such buildings, lay confusedly in heapes and scattered here and there: The Cardinall demanded of his Survayor wherefore the rubbish was not conveyed away: The Survayor said that he proposed to hyre an hundred Carts for the purpose. The Cardinall replyed that the charge of Carts might be saved, for a pitt might bee digged in the ground and bury it. My Lord, said the Survayor, I pray you what shall wee doe with the earth which we digge out of the said pit? Why, thou Coxcombe, said the Cardinall, canst thou not dig the pit deepe enough, and bury all together?
[77.] At Salisbury, Tarlton & his fellowes were to play before the Maior & his brethren: but one of his company (a yong man) was so drunke, that he could not; whereat Tarlton, as mad angry, as he was mad drunke, claps me on his legs a huge pair of bolts.[140] The fellow dead asleepe, felt nothing. When all was done, they convayed him to the Jayle on a Man's back, and intreated the Jailer to doe God good service, and let him lye there til he waked. While they were about their sport, the felow waked, & finding himselfe in durance, & the Jaile hung round with bolts and shackles, he began to blesse himselfe, & thought sure in his drunkennesse hee had done some mischiefe. With this hee called to know, but none came to him; then hee thought verily his fault was capitall, and that hee was close prisoner. By and by comes the Keeper, and mooved him, that one so yong should come to so shamefull a death as hanging. Anon, another comes, and another with the like, which further put him in a puzzle. But at last comes Tarlton and others, intreating the Keeper, yet if it might bee, that they might see their fellow ere they went. But hee very hardly was intreated. But at length the poore drunken Signior cald out for them. In they come. Oh Tom, saies Tarlton, hard was thy hap, in drunkennes to murder this honest man, and our hard hap too, to have it reported, any of our company is hang'd for it. O God, O God saies the fellow, is my fault so great? then commend me to all my friends. Well, short tale to make, the fellow forswore drunkennes, if hee could escape, and by as cunning a wile (to his thinking) they got him out of prison by an escape, and sent him to London before, who was not a little glad to be gone. But see how this iest wrought: by little and little the fellow left his excessive drinking, and in time altered his desire of drunkennes.
[140] Shackles or fetters.
[12.]A Barber left handed
Trim'd so well, that he bandy'd[141]
With all the Barbers in the Strand,
For he trims dextrously;[142]
But that I deny,
'Cause he does it with his left hand.
[141] Was at feud. Minsheu gives its meaning "to join in a faction" and its equivalent in French as "bander," "mutiner." Fleming translates "bander" "to rise—to band against one."
[142] Dexter, Lat., right hand.
[17.] John came to Thomas his house to speak with him: but Thomas came to the door, and bid his Maid say he was not at home, which John overheard; Two or three days after, Thomas came to speak with John, and John looks out a window, and told him he was not at home: Why do you say so? do I not see you at home? Hey day, says John, I believed your Maid you were not at home and you will not believe me my own self.
[78.] One said a tooth drawer was a kind of unconscionable trade because his trade was nothing else but to take away those things whereby every man gets his living.
[61.] There was a Gentleman who had been very smartly drinking at the Feathers Tavern in Cheapside, where there is a very long entry from the street door to the Bar, and a drinking roome by the way where were many civill persons with their wives at supper, but their door was only shut to and not latched; and this Gentleman staggering thorough, reeld against this door, and fell head long into the Room, to the sudden astonishment of the Company, who rise up and demanded the reason of that rudenesse; the poor Gentleman with very much adoe got up, and staggering with his hat in his hand he made hard shift to cry them all mercy in these words, Gentlemen and Ladyes, I pray excuse my boldnesse, and consider I am not the first that have fallen into ill Company.
The following throws much light on the habits of people in the reign of Charles II., and is valuable as it shows a phase of life not often depicted.
[85.] A Lampoon on the Greenwich Strowlers.
Oh! assist me you Powers, who have Rhimes at command,
For I faith I've a weighty business in hand.
Of the late Greenwich Strowlers I'me now going to sing,
But all things in order—first, God save the King.
Hem; hem; now put we off to the matter,
On Easter Sunday, the Raskals took water;
Where landing at Greenwich, they agreed that a share
Should be settled o' th' Sculler, instead of his fare.
Then up they march'd to the sign of the Bull,
Where asking for Lodging, quoth the folks we are ful.
But we'el see for some for you, and so with that wheadle,
Ud's lid, exit's the Landlord, and enter the Beadle.
With that their Chief Actor begins for to bristle,
Quoth he, p'shaw waw, let the Beadle go whistle,
For I can; and he did, too, produce straight a Pattent,
That had the King's Hand and Seal, and all that in't.
Well this rub of fortune is over; but stay,
They call for a Reckning, theres six Pence to pay.
Now mark how damn'd fortune these Strowlers do's cozen,
They pawn all their stock to pay the half dozen.
But promising th' Host that he should Tricket free,
See their Plays every day, and his whole family.
He releases 'em straight, and now all the rabble
Marcht up to go lye in their Play house,—a Stable.
... ...
... ...
I confess they had never a Scene at all,
They wanted no copy, they had th' original.
For the Windowes being down, and most part of the roof,
How could they want Scenes when they had prospect enough.
Now we will suppose that Munday is come,
And the Play is proclaymed by beat of a Drum.
Faith, now you're supposing, let it be Tuesday morn,
For of Monday, I know no more than the child unborn.
It's said that they Acted not upon Monday,
Something was wanting, and so they lost one day.
They send unto London, what's lacking is gotten,
And so on the next day, w'ye all things did cotten.
The Prizes they took, were a Londoners groat,
A Gentleman's size,[143] but his skipkennel's[144] pot.
The Townsmen they let in for drink and good chear,
The School boys for peace, and the Seamen for fear.
On Tuesday at three a clock I was we'e 'em,
I kist their doorkeeper, and went in to see 'em.
Being enter'd an Actor[145] straight brought me a stool,
Hee'd a held my cloak too, but I wa'nt such a fool.
The first that appear'd, when I was come in,
With her train to her ankles, was who but the Queen.
She civilly made me a curtsy and straight,
Retired to sit on her Fagots of state.
Then in came the King with a Murtherous mind,
Gainst his new married Queen, which when I did find,
I call'd him a side, and whispering in's Ear,
Desired him to fetch me a Flagon of Bear.
There's twelve pence, said I, take the rest for your pains,
Your Servant said he, Sir, sweet Mr Haines.
His Majesty, faith, I must needs say was civil,
For he took up his Heels, and ran for't like a Devil.
Meantime I addrest myself to his Bride,
And took her unto the tireing House side;
A hay loft it was which at a dead lift,
Instead of a better serv'd then for a shift.
But mark the Fate of her Civility,
The Players did rant both at her and me:
And therefore because for fear she'd be lack'd
I ordred the Drummer to beat a long Act.
He beat and he beat, but no Queen appear'd,
He beat till at length the house was all clear'd:
By my Troath a sad loss, but to make 'em amends,
I threw 'em a Crown, and we were all Friends:
And so this Renowned History ends.
[143] Sixpence—the 6 on dice being called "size."
[144] Footman or footboy.
[145] This is an allusion to the custom of the gallants sitting on stools on the stage, so frequently spoken of by the dramatists of the sixteenth century. Indeed Queen Anne found it necessary to issue two proclamations forbidding people other than actors to go on the stage.
[52.] A Gentleman upon a time having a man that could write and read well, rebuked him one day for idlenesse, saying, If I had nothing to do, like thee, I would to recreate my wit, set down all the fooles I knew. The fellow, making little answer, tooke his pen and inke, and as his Master had wished him, fell to setting down a Catalogue of the fooles that he was well acquainted with: among whom, and first of all, he set down his Master, who, reading his name, would needs know the nature of his folly; Marry, quoth he, In lending your Cozen twenty pound this other day: for I think he will never pay you. Yea but (quoth his Master) what if he do pay me? Then (quoth his man) I will put out your name, and put down his for a foole.
[20.] A Gentleman in North Wales was standing in a Sunshiny day, upon a high rock near the Sea-Side in those parts; and as he was looking about, he saw an Island some Four miles from the shore or there abouts, upon which Island he spy'd two Hares playing one with another: Well, says he, are you got over there now; for I am sure I cours'd you both yesterday with my two Greyhounds, and then you shew'd me a trick, but now I'll shew you one. So he went immediately home, and fetch't his two Greyhounds, and a great Morter piece which he had of a Thousand pound weight, which he fastened between the two Dogs Necks; but he was forced to fasten a Cord to it also, lest the Dogs might run away with it; and when they had carry'd it to the Rock aforesaid, he charg'd the Morter piece, and presently the two Greyhounds slipt into it (for it seems they had been used to it) which two Greyhounds he ram'd in very well, and then discharg'd the Morter piece with no hurt at all to the Greyhounds (for you must know he shot with white Powder) and it so happened that says he, I protest t'ye Gentlemen (upon my honest word and Credit 'tis true) that the two Greyhounds each lighted upon a Hare as they were playing, and then kill'd 'em and immediately left the Island, and swam through the Sea with the Hares in their mouths, which were one boil'd and t'other roasted for my dinner. One ask't him what colour his Greyhounds were? He swore they were both black before, but the White Powder did so Change their Colour, that they were both turn'd grey; and so from them all of their kind were called Grey hounds, for their sakes to this day. They told him they thought this probable enough to be improbable. O Gentlemen, says he far be it from me to tell you a lie, for if you won't believe me, pray ask my Dogs.
Upon Thorough-good, an unthrift.
[5.]Thy Sirname Thorough-good befitteth thee,
Thou Thorough-good, and good goes thorough thee,
Nor thou in good, nor good in thee doth stay,
Both of you thorough goe, and pass away.
[77.] Tarlton having been domineering[146] very late one night, with two of his friends, and comming homewards along Cheapeside, the Watch being then set, Master Constable asked, Who goes there? Three merry men, quoth Tarlton. That is not sufficient, What are you? quod M. Constable. Why, saies Tarlton, one of us is an eye maker, and the other a light maker. What saiest thou, knave, doest mocke me? the one is an eye maker, the other a light maker, which two properties belong unto God onely: commit these blasphemers, quoth the Constable. Nay, I pray you, good M. Constable, be good in your Office, I will approve what I have said to be true, qd. Tarlton. If thou canst, saies the Constable, you shall passe, otherwise you shall be all three punished. Why (qd. Tarlton) this fellow is an eye maker, because a Spectacle maker, and this other a maker of light, because a Chandler, that makes your darkest night as light as your Lanthorn. The Constable, seeing them so pleasant, was well contented. The rest of the Watchmen laughed: & Tarlton with his two Companions went home quietly.
[146] Roystering.
[78.] One perswaded his friend to marry a little woman because of evils the least was to be chosen.
[26.] A crafty Fellow being extremely in debt, and being threatened by his Creditors, that they would have him, if he was above ground, got himself into a Cellar, and there lay with the Tapster; and being reproved for so doing, he told them there's no fear of catching him there, because 'twas underground, and they durst not break their Oaths, because they swore they would have him above Ground.
THE
UNFORTUNATE FENCER;[147]
or
The Couragious Farmer of Gloucester-shire
shewing
How this huffing Spark went down into those Parts,
Challenging any one at all sorts of Weapons; and at
length (was) shamefully Conquer'd by a
Country Farmer.
To the Tune of The Spinning Wheel.
Licensed according to Order.
[88.]You that delight in merriment,
be pleased attend a while,
I hope to give you all content,
this very Song will make you smile;
'Tis of a Fencer brave and bold,
adorn'd with rich embroider'd Gold.
This Spark in pomp, and rich array,
from London rid with right good will,
That he young Lords might learn to play
all sorts of Weapons by his skill;
And whereso e'er this Fencer came,
the drum, and trumpet blaz'd his fame.
This huffing Fencer, fierce and Stout,
to Gloucester City did repair,
And for a Sign he then hung out
a Sword of grand Defiance there;
The which a Farmer did espy,
as he by Chance was passing by.
The jolly Farmer brisk and bold,
as soon as he the Sword beheld,
He cry'd what is there to be sold?
what! is your Room with Rapiers fill'd?
The Valiant Fencer did reply
I come my Valour here to try.
With that he did his Rapier shake,
and said let who will here arrive,
I do a noble Challenge make,
to fight the stoutest man alive:
The Farmer said I'll answer thee,
if that you dare to Cope with me.
The Fencer cry'd, you sorry knave,
here by this Rapier in my hand,
I'll send the to thy silent Grave,
against my force no Clown can stand;
It shall be try'd the Farmer cry'd,
I value not your huffing Pride.
Next Morning they a Stage prepare,
the drums did beat and trumpets sound,
Right joyfull tydings to declare,
this Gallant trac'd the City round,
Dress'd in his Shirt of Holland fine,
with Sword that did like Silver shine.
The Stage he mounted brisk and gay,
and eke the Farmer straight likewise;
To whom the Huffing Spark did say,
of you I'll make a Sacrifice;
This work in short I will compleat,
you should have brought a Winding Sheet.
No more of that, but let's fall to,
I hope to make my Party good;
And e'er this World I bid adieux,
who knows but I may let you blood;
With that he cut him o'er the Face,
and thus began the Spark's Disgrace.
But when they came to Quarter Staff,
the Farmer bang'd the Spark about;
Which made all the Spectators laugh,
and with Huzzas they all did shout;
He made his Head and Shoulders sore,
he ne'er had been so thrash'd before.
Thus fairly did he win the day,
which put the Fencer in a Rage,
Who through the Crowd did sneak away,
while the stout Farmer kept the Stage;
Huzzas of joy did echo round,
while he with Victory was Crown'd.
FINIS.
Printed for P. Brooksby,[148] J. Deacon,[149] J. Blare,[150] J. Back.[151]
[147] For tune, see [Appendix].
[148] Philip Brooksby had two shops,—one, the Golden Ball, near Bear Tavern, in West Smithfield; the other, Harp and Ball, also Golden Ball, in Pye Corner.
[149] J. Deacon lived at the Rainbow, near David's Inn, or St. Andrew's Church, Holborn.
[150] Josiah Blare's shop was the Looking Glass, on London Bridge.
[151] John Back also lived on London Bridge, at the sign of the Black Boy.
[86.] King James with some of his Nobles having lost their way in a Forest in the persuit of a Deer, came at last a hungry to the side of the same Forest where they espied a little House; thither hyed the King, and demanded first what victuals in the House, then with some comfortable leysure the way; the good wife sets before the King a good piece of powdered[152] Beefe and a bag pudding, the King and his Followers fell to eat heartily, & having contented his hostess rid away: by the road side at some distance, a boy presents himself scraping with his legs, bare headed, whereon was a thick scald: Sirrah, said the Lords, cover your head, have you never a Cap? where do you dwell? In yonder Cottage an't please you (pointing to the place where the King dined) I had a Cap yesterday, but to day my mother made use of it for a pudding bag; Quoth the King, it did me no harme in the eating, it shall do me lesse in thinking of it; come, put on, and let us jog it down; but it stirred the stomacks of his Traine.
[152] Salted.
[17.] One Pace a bitter Jester in Queen Elizabeth's daies, came to Court: Come says the Ladies, Pace, we shall now hear of our faults: No, says he, I don't use to talk of that which all the Towne talks of.
[12.]One saw an Old Woman,
Which indeed is Common,
With her nose to meet with her chin;
'Tis strange, says he, me-thinks,
For when that she drinks
The De'el a drop can she get in.
He was then told the cause,
And what the reason was
That her teeth were fell out, and her chin
And Nose, like loving Neighbours,
Think well of their Labours,
To reconcile 'em agen.
[52.] A Worshipfull Gentleman in London, having on a time invited divers of his friends to supper to his house, and being at supper, the second course comming in, the first was one of the Gentleman's own men, bringing a Capon; and by chance, stumbling at the portall door, the Capon flew out of the platter and ranne along the board to the upper end of the table where the Master of the house sate, who making a jest of it, said, By my faith it is well, the Capon is come first, my man will come anon too, I hope. By and by came his man, and takes up the Capon, and layes it in the platter, and sets it on the board. I thank you Sir, quoth his Master, I could have done so my self. I, quoth his man, it is an easie matter, sir, for one to do a thing when he sees it done before his face.
[17.] Some Tylers working on the top of the house, one by chance dropt down through the rafters; Says one, I like such a Fellow dearly, for he is one that goes through his work.
[26.] Another swore, that he in his Travels round about the World, which he had encompast Three times and half in Seven years time, but could not finish the other half, because he fell very Sick, and so was forc't to return back agen; and in his return, he came to a King's Court, but I cannot for my life remember the place, because I have been in so many; and there, says he, I saw a Lute of a very great bigness, and Thirty Ells long, bating only three inches, and Three broad, and swore that the least string upon it was bigger than his Thumb. Then they askt him how it possibly could be plaid on? He told them that a Man and his Wife that were Gyants (of which there's abundance in that Country) had Two large Iron Bows, made each with Eight Feet like Gridirons, with which he, and his dear Consort (which I think is the best name for her now, in regard of that Musick) scrat ore the strings; that is, she on the Treble part, and He on the Bass, whilst Eight great Mastiff Dogs ran up and down the Frets of the Lute, with their bare feet, and stopt directly in Tune as they plaid; (but you must conceive that these dogs were bred up to't, or else 'twere a thing impossible) to the admiration of all strangers that were there; and the Case of that Lute served for a kennel for the Eight Dogs to lie in: but it seems 'tis common with them there, for they made nothing of it; and this he made good by whole Volleys of thundering Oaths.
[5.] A fat house keeper makes leane Executors. The Devill is not alwaies at one doore. He puls with a long rope, that waights for anothers death.
Come buy this new Ballad, before you doe goe;
If you raile at the Author, I know what I know.
To the Tune of, Ile tell you but so.
[89.]It is an old saying
that few words are best,
And he that sayes little,
shall live most at rest:
And I by experience
doe finde it right so,
Therefore Ile spare speech,
but I know what I know.
Yet shall you perceive well,
though little I say,
That many enormities
I will display:
You may guesse my meaning
by that which I show,
I will not tell all
but I know &c.
There be some great climbers
compos'd of ambition,
To whom better-born men
doe bend with submission:
Proud Lucifer climbing
was cast very low,
Ile not stay these men.
but I know &c.
There be many Foxes
that goe on two legges,
They steale greater matters
than Cocks, Hens and Egges;
To catch many Guls
in Sheepes cloathing they goe
They might be destroy'd
but I know &c.
There be many men
that Devotion pretend,
And make us beleeve
that true Faith theyle defend:
Three times in one day
to Church they will goe,
They cozen the world,
but I know &c.
There be many rich men
both Yeomen and Gentry,
That for their owne private gaine
hurt a whole Countrey:
By closing free Commons,
yet they'le make as though
Twere for common good,
but I know &c.
There be divers Papists
that to save their Fine,
Come to Church once a moneth
to heare Service Divine:
The Pope gives them power,
as they say, to doe so
They save money by't too
but I know &c.
There be many Upstarts
that spring from the Cart,
Who gotten to th' Court
play the Gentleman's part:
Their fathers were plaine men,
they scorne to be so,
They think themselves brave
but I know &c.
There be many Officers
men of great place,
To whom, if one sue
for their favour and grace,
He must bribe their servants
while they make as though
They know no such thing,
but I know &c.
There be many Women
that seem very pure,
A kisse from a stranger
they'le hardly endure:
They are like Lucretia,
modest in show.
I will accuse none,
but I know &c.
Likewise there be many
dissembling men,
That seeme to hate Drinking
and Women, yet when
They meet with a Wench
to the Taverne they'le goe,
They are civill all day
but I know &c.
There be many Batchelors
that to beguile
Beleeving kind Lasses,
use many a wile,
They all sweare that they love,
when they meane nothing so,
And boast of these tricks
but I know &c.
There's many an Usurer,
that like a Drone,
Doth idly live
upon his moneys Lone:
From Tens unto Hundreds
his money doth grow,
He sayes he doth good,
but I know &c.
There be many Gallants
that goe in gay Rayment,
For which the Taylor
did never receive payment;
They ruffle it out
with a gorgeous show,
Some take them for Knights,
but I know &c.
There be many Rorers
that swagger and rore,
As though they in the warres had been,
seven yeeres or more:
And yet they never lookt
in the face of a Foe;
They seeme gallant Sparkes
but I know &c.
There's many both Women
and Men that appeare
With beautifull Outsides
the Worlds eyes to bleare:
But all is not Gold
that doth glister in show,
They are fine with a Pox,
but I know &c.
There's many rich Trades-men
who live by Deceit,
And in Weight and Measure
the poore they doe cheat,
They'le not sweare an Oath
but indeed, I, and No,
They truly protest,
but I know &c.
There be many people
so given to strife,
That they'le goe to Law
for a two-penny Knife,
The Lawyers ne're aske them
why they doe so,
He gets by their hate,
but I know &c.
I know there be many
will carpe at this Ballet,
Because it is like
sowre Sawce to their Pallet;
But he, shee, or they,
let me tell ere I goe,
If they speak against this Song
I know what I know.
FINIS.
Printed by the Assignes of Thomas Symcocke.[153]
[153] Published in 1620, and assigned his patent the same year. He is also heard again of in 1642, when his patent was petitioned against, but unsuccessfully.
[82.] A Proper Gentlewoman went to speak with a rich Mizer that had more Gowt than good manners, at her taking leave hee requested her to tast a Cup of Canara: Shee (contrary to his expectation) tooke him at his word and thanked him. Hee commanded Jeffrey Starveling his man, to wash a glasse, and fill it to the Gentlewoman. Honest Jeffrey fill'd a great glasse about the bignesse of two Taylors thimbles, and gave it to his master, who kist it to save cost, and gave it to the Gentlewoman, saying that it was good Canara of six yeeres old at the least, to whom shee answered (seeing the quantity so small,) Sir, as you requested me, I have tasted your wine, but I wonder that it should be so little, being of such a great age.
[61.] There were two notable boon Companions which when they were met were alwayes so indeared to each others Company that very seldom an earlier houre than midnight could part them, but when they were drunk they had two troublesome infirmities, Jack could not goe nor Will could not speak; therefore one night before they fell to drinking, they made Articles of Agreement that when they were drunke Will should carry Jack, and Jack should speak for Will, and after this agreement to drinking they went pell-mell, untill the one was drunk, and the other lame: So after they had paid the Reckoning, Will takes up Jack a pick-pack and carries him to Ludgate, and being very weary sets him down in the dark close by the prison. The Constable and Watch who were within the Gate hearing a bustle, called out, saying, Who goes there? Come before the Constable. Will could goe well enough, but could not speak, so he went over to the Constable, who examined him whence he came, and why he was out so late, and where he lived; to which Will could answer nothing, but make mouths: but Jack having his tongue at liberty, as he was sitting in the blind hole, cryes to the Constable, Sir, he cannot speak. Upon that the Constable asked who was that which spake, and commanded him to come before him; to which Jack made answer, Sir, I can't goe, at which the Constable and Watch laught; Will took up his load again and away they marcht.
To his Quill.
[5.]Thou hast been wanton, therefore it is meet,
Thou shouldst do penance—do it in a sheet.