’Twill make a poore man rich to hang a sign before his doore; And those that doe the pitcher bang, though rich, ’twill make them poor, ’Twill make the silliest poorest snake the King’s great Porter scorne; ’Twill make the stoutest lubber weak, this little Barley-Corn.
It hath more shifts than Lambe ere had, or Hocus-pocus too; It will good fellowes shew more sport then Bankes his horse could doe; ’Twill play you faire above the boord, unlesse you take good heed, And fell you, though you were a Lord, and justify the deed.
It lends more yeeres unto old age, than ere was lent by nature; It makes the poet’s fancy rage, more than Castalian water. {305} ’Twill make a huntsman chase a fox, and never winde his horne; ’Twill cheer a tinker in the stockes, this little barley-corn.
It is the only Will o’ th’ Wisp which leades men from the way; ’Twill make the tongue-ti’d lawyer lisp, and nought but (hic up) say. ’Twill make the Steward droope and stoop, his bils he then will scorne, And at each post cast his reckoning up, this little barley-corn.
’Twill make a man grow jealous soone, whose pretty wife goes trim, And raile at the deceiving moone for making hornes at him: ’Twill make the maidens trimly dance, and take it in no scorne, And helpe them to a friend by chance, this little barley-corn.
It is the neatest serving-man, to entertaine a friend; It will doe more than money can all jarring suits to end: There’s life in it, and it is here, ’tis here within this cup; Then take your liquor, doe not spare, but cleare carouse it up.
To this ballad there is a second part to much the same effect. We give the illustration and a few verses. Both parts are in the Roxburghe Collection.
The Second Part of the Little Barley-corne That cheereth the heart both evening and morne.
To the same tune.
