[The madness here referred to was sometimes real, but more often shammed. These "mad rascals" were so numerous a class that they obtained the distinctive names of Bedlam beggars, and Abraham men. Dekker describes their tricks in his Bellman of London, 1616, where he says, "he calls himself by the name of Poor Tom, and coming near any body, cries out, 'Poor Tom is a cold;'" the very expression used by Edgar when he appears in the disguise of a madman (King Lear). Mr. Chappell observes that there is great uncertainty as to the authorship, for there are so many Tom of Bedlam songs that it is impossible to determine from the passage in the Complete Angler to which of them Walton refers. It is also doubtful to whom we are indebted for the tune. Mr. Chappell thinks that probably it was by Henry Lawes's master, John Cooper, called Cuperario after his visit to Italy. It has been attributed, without authority, to Henry Purcell and Henry Lawes.]
Forth from my sad and darksome cell,
Or from the deepe abysse of hell,[845]
Mad Tom is come into the world againe
To see if he can cure his distempered braine.[846]
Feares and cares oppresse my soule;[847] 5
Harke, howe the angrye Fureys houle!
Pluto laughes, and Proserpine is gladd[848]
To see poore naked Tom of Bedlam madd.
Through the world I wander night and day[849]
To seeke my straggling senses, 10
In an angrye moode I mett old Time,[850]
With his pentarchye of tenses:[851]
When me he spyed,[852]
Away he hyed,[853]
For time will stay for no man:[854] 15
In vaine with cryes
I rent the skyes,[855]
For pity is not common.[856]
Cold and comfortless I lye:
Helpe, oh helpe! or else I dye! 20
Harke! I heare Apollo's teame,
The carman 'gins to whistle;
Chast Diana bends her bowe,
The boare begins to bristle.