Being thus esteemed,
And every where well deemed,
He gain'd the favour of a London dame,15
Daughter to an alderman,
Curtis he was called then,
To whom a sutor gallantly he came.
When she his person spied,
He could not be denied,20
So brave a gentleman he was to see;
She was quickly made his wife,
In weale or woe to lead her life,
Her father willingly did so agree.
Thus, in state and pleasure,25
Full many daies they measure;
Till cruell death, with his regardles spight,
Bore old Curtis to his grave,
A thing which Stukely wisht to have,
That he might revell all in gold so bright.30
He was no sooner tombed,
But Stukely presumed
To spend a hundred pound that day in waste:
The bravest gallants of the land
Had Stukelies purse at their command;35
Thus merrily the time away he pass'd.
Taverns and ordinaries
[Were] his cheefest braveries,
Goulden angells flew there up and downe;
Riots [were] his best delight,40
With stately feastings day and night;
In court and citty thus he won renowne.
Thus wasting land and living
By this lawlesse giving,
At last he sold the pavements of his yard,45
Which covered were with blocks of tin;
Old Curtis left the same to him,
Which he consumed vainely, as you heard.
Whereat his wife sore greeved,
Desir'd to be releeved;50
"Make much of me, dear husband," she did say:
"I'll make much more of thee," quoth he,
"Than any one shall, verily:
I'll sell thy clothes, and so will go away."
Cruelly thus hearted,55
Away from her he parted,
And travelled into Italy with speed:
There he flourisht many a day
In his silkes and rich array,