Part 10 (1/2)

”But what do I stand tattling of such idle toyes?

I had better go to Smith-Field to play among the boyes: But you cheating and deceiving lads, with your base artillery, I would wish you to shun Newgate, and withall the pillory.

”And some there be in patcht gownes, I know not what they be, That pinch the country-man with nimming of a fee; For where they get a booty, they'le make him pay so dear, They'le entertain more in a day, then he shall in a year.

”Which makes them trim up houses made of brick and stone, And poor men go a begging, when house and land is gone.

Some there be with both hands will swear they will not dally, Till they have turn'd all upside down, as many use to sally.

”You pedlers, give good measure, when as your wares you sell: Tho' your yard be short, your thumb will slip your tricks I know full well.

And you that sell your wares by weight, and live upon the trade, Some beams be false, some waits too light; such tricks there have been plaid.

”But small coals, or great coals!

I have them on my back: The goose lies in the bottom; you may hear the duck cry quack.

Thus Grim the black collier, whose living is so loose, As he doth walk the commons ore, sometimes he steals a goose.

”Thou usurer with thy money bags that livest so at ease, By gaping after gold thou dost thy mighty G.o.d displease; And for thy greedy usury, and thy great extortion, Except thou dost repent thy sins, h.e.l.l fire will be thy portion.

”For first I came to Houns-Ditch, then round about I creep, Where cruelty was crowned chief and pity fast asleep: Where usury gets profit, and brokers bear the bell.

Oh, fie upon this deadly sin!

it sinks the soul to h.e.l.l.

”The man that sweeps the chimneys with the bush of thorns, And on his neck a trusse of poles tipped all with horns, With care he is not c.u.mbered, he liveth not in dread?

For though he wear them on his pole, some wear them on their head.

”The landlord with his racking rents turns poor men out of dore; Their children go a begging where they have spent their store.

I hope none is offended with that which is endited If any be, let him go home and take a pen and write it.

”Buy a trap, a mouse trap, a torment for fleas!

The hangman works but half the day; he lives too much at ease.

Come let us leave this boyes play and idle prittle prat, And let us go to nine holes, to spurn-point, or to cat.

”Oh! you nimble fingered lads that live upon your wits, Take heed of Tyburn ague, for they be dangerous fits; For many a proper man, for to supply his lack, Doth leap a leap at Tyburn, which makes his neck to crack.

”And to him that writ this song I give this simple lot: Let every one be ready to give him half a pot.

And thus I do conclude, wis.h.i.+ng both health and peace To those that are laid in their bed, and cannot sleep for fleas.

W. TURNER”

The ”tink, terry tink” of the Tinker's ”Cry” is preserved in a Miscellany of the year 1667, called ”_Catch that Catch Can; or, the Musical Champion_.”

[Ill.u.s.tration]

”The Tinker.

”Have you any work for a tinker, mistriss?

Old bra.s.s, old pots, or kettles?

I'll mend them all with a tink, terry tink, And never hurt your mettles.