Besides, I’m by the Commonwealth
Entrusted to chastise
All knaves that straggle up and down
To raise such mutinies.
However, since ’tis your request,
They shall be call’d and heard;
But neither Ralph nor I can grant
Such rascals should be clear’d.
And so, to wind the tale up short,
They were call’d in together;
And by the gentlemen were ask’d
What wind ’twas blew them thither.
Good ale and handsome landladies
You might have nearer home;
And therefore ’tis for something more
That you so far are come.
To which the vicar answer’d first,—
My living is so small,
That I am forced to stroll about
To try and get a call.
And, quoth the cobbler, I am forced
To leave my wife and dwelling,
T’ escape the danger of being press’d
To go a colonelling.
There’s many an honest jovial lad
Unwarily drawn in,
That I have reason to suspect
Will scarce get out again.
The proverb says, Harm watch harm catch,
I’ll out of danger keep,
For he that sleeps in a whole skin
Doth most securely sleep.
My business is to mend bad soals
And stitch up broken quarters:
A cobbler’s name would look but odd
Among a list of martyrs.
Faith, cobbler, quoth the gentleman,
And that shall be my case;
I will neither party join,
Let what will come to pass.