For gain he would his God deny,
His country and his King;
Swear and forswear, recant and lye,
Do any wicked thing.
At this the vicar set his teeth,
And to the cobbler flew;
And with his sacerdotal fist
Gave him a box or two.
The cobbler soon return’d the blows,
And with both head and heel
So manfully behaved himself,
He made the vicar reel.
Great was the outcry that was made,
And in the woman ran
To tell his worship that the fight
Betwixt them was began.
And is it so indeed? quoth he;
I’ll make the slaves repent:
Then up he took his basket hilt,
And out enraged he went.
The country folk no sooner saw
The knight with naked blade,
But for his worship instantly
An open lane was made;
Who with a stern and angry look
Cry’d out, What knaves are these
That in the face of justice dare
Disturb the public peace?
Vile rascals! I will make you know
I am a magistrate,
And that as such I bear about
The vengeance of the State.
Go, seize them, Ralph, and bring them in,
That I may know the cause,
That first induced them to this rage,
And thus to break the laws.
Ralph, who was both his squire and clerk,
And constable withal,
I’ th’ name o’ th’ Commonwealth aloud
Did for assistance bawl.