Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] by Farmer, John S.

THE SONG OF THE BEGGAR [Notes] [1620]

[From _"A Description of Love"_ 6th ed. (1629)].

I

I am Rogue and a stout one, A most courageous drinker, I doe excell, 'tis knowne full well, The Ratter, Tom, and Tinker. Still doe I cry, good your Worship good Sir, Bestow one small Denire, Sir [1] And brauely at the bousing Ken [2] He bouse it all in Beere, Sir. [3]

II

If a Bung be got by the hie Law, [4] Then straight I doe attend them, For if Hue and Crie doe follow, I A wrong way soone doe send them. Still doe I cry, etc.

III

Ten miles vnto a Market. I runne to meet a Miser, Then in a throng, I nip his Bung, [5] And the partie ne'er the wiser. Still doe I cry, etc.

IV

My dainty Dals, my Doxis, [6] Whene'er they see me lacking, Without delay, poore wretches they Will set their Duds a packing. [7] Still doe I cry, etc. V

I pay for what I call for, And so perforce it must be, For as yet I can, not know the man, Nor Oastis that will trust me. Still doe I cry, etc.

VI

If any giue me lodging, A courteous Knaue they find me, For in their bed, aliue or dead, I leave some Lice behind me. Still doe I cry, etc.

VII

If a Gentry Coue be comming, [8] Then straight it is our fashion, My Legge I tie, close to my thigh, To moue him to compassion. Still doe I cry, etc.

VIII

My doublet sleeue hangs emptie, And for to begge the bolder, For meate and drinke mine arme I shrinke, Vp close vnto my shoulder. Still doe I cry, etc.

IX

If a Coach I heere be rumbling, To my Crutches then I hie me, For being lame, it is a shame, Such Gallants should denie me. Still doe I cry, etc.

X

With a seeming bursten belly, I looke like one half dead, Sir, Or else I beg with a woodden legge, And a Night-cap on me head, Sir, Still doe I cry, etc.

XI

In Winter time starke naked I come into some Citie, Then euery man that spare them can, Will giue me clothes for pittie. Still doe I cry, etc.

XII

If from out the Low-countrie, [9] I heare a Captaines name, Sir, Then strait I swere I have bin there; And so in fight came lame, Sir. Still doe I cry, etc.

XIII

My Dogge in a string doth lead me, When in the towne I goe, Sir, For to the blind, all men are kind, And will their Almes bestow, Sir, Still doe I cry, etc.

XIV

With Switches sometimes stand I, In the bottom of a Hill, Sir, There those men which doe want a switch, Some monie give me still, Sir. Still doe I cry, etc.

XV

Come buy, come buy a Horne-booke, Who buys my Pins or Needles? In Cities I these things doe crie, Oft times to scape the Beadles. Still doe I cry, etc.

XVI

In Pauls Church by a Pillar; [10] Sometimes you see me stand, Sir, With a Writ that showes, what care and woes I past by Sea and Land, Sir. Still doe I cry, etc.

XVII

Now blame me not for boasting, And bragging thus alone, Sir, For my selfe I will be praying still, For Neighbours have I none, Sir. Which makes me cry, etc.