Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] Part 4

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.

[1: penny]

[2: ale-house]

[3: drink]

[4: purse; Notes]

[5: steal his purse]

[6: girls; wh.o.r.es]

[7: p.a.w.n their clothes]

[8: gentleman]

[9: Notes]

[10: Notes]

THE MAUNDER'S INITIATION [Notes]

[1622]

[From _The Beggars Bush_ by JOHN FLETCHER; also in _The New Canting Dict_:--"Sung on the electing of a new dimber damber, or king of the gypsies"].

I

Cast your nabs and cares away, This is maunder's holiday: [1]

In the world look out and see, Where so blest a king as he _(Pointing to the newly-elected Prince.)_

II

At the crowning of our king, Thus we ever dance and sing: Where's the nation lives so free, And so merrily as we?

III

Be it peace, or be it war, Here at liberty we are: Hang all harmanbecks we cry, [2]

We the cuffins quere defy. [3]

IV

We enjoy our ease and rest, To the fields we are not pressed: And when taxes are increased, We are not a penny 'sessed.

V

Nor will any go to law, With a maunder for a straw, All which happiness he brags, Is only owing to his rags.

"Now swear him"--

I crown thy nab with a gage of ben bouse,[4]

And stall thee by the salmon into clowes,[5]

To maund on the pad, and strike all the cheats, [6]

To mill from the Ruffmans, Commission, and slates, [7]

Tw.a.n.g dells i' th' stiromel, and let the Quire Cuffin And Harman Beck strine and trine to the ruffin. [8]