Page:Banks of the Dee.pdf/4

( 4 ) The BEGGAR'S RESOLUTION.

Beggar, a beggar, a beggar I'll be, For none lives a life o jovial as he; A beggar I was, and a beggar I am, A beggar I'll be, from a beggar I came; And if that it happens our trading hould fail, We, in the concluion, hall beggars be all: Trademen ate unfortunate in their affairs, And few men are thriving but courtiers or players.

A carver my father, a maunder my mother, A filer my iter, a filcher my brother, A canter my uncle, who values no pelf, A lister my aunt, and a beggar myelf: In white wheaten traw, when their bellies were full, There I was begotten, 'twixt tinker and trull, And therefore a jolly brave beggar I'll be, For none lives a life o jovial as he.

When boys they come to us, & ay their intent is, To follow our calling, we ne’er bind them 'prentice; Soon as they come to't, we learn them to do't, We give them a taff, and wallet to boot; We learn them our lingo, to crave and to cant, So the devil is in it if e'er they can want; Therefore, he or he that a beggar will be, Without an indenture may oon be made free.

We beg for our bread, yet ometimes it happens, We feat it on pig, pullets, conies, or capons; For churchmen's affairs, we are no men layers, We have no religion, yet live by our prayers: And oft when we beg, & men draw not their pures, We charge and give fire with a volley of cures; Then the devil confound your good worhip we cry, And uch a bold brazen fac'd beggar am I.

We have things in eaon, & have o much reaon, We raie no rebellion, nor ever talk treaon; We bill with our mates, at very low rates, Yet ome keep their quarters as high as their gates.