Page:Factor's garland (4).pdf/2



EHOLD here's a ditty, the truth, and no jest,

Concerning a young gentleman in the east,

Who by his great gaming came to poverty,

And afterwards went many a voyage to sea.

Being well educated, and one of great wit,

Three merchants of London did then think it fit,

To make him their captain and factor also,

And for them to Turkey a voyage he must go.

And walking along in the streets there he found

A poor man's dead carcase lying on the ground.

He asked the reason what made it there ly;

When one of the natives did make this reply.

That man was a Christian, sir, when he drew breath

The dues being not paid, he lyes above the earth.

Why, what are the dues? the factor then cried.

It is fifty pounds, the Turk he replied.

That is a great sum quoth the factor indeed,

To see him lie there, makes my heart for to bleed;

So then by the sector the money was paid,

And then under ground the dead carcase was laid.

When having gone further, he there did espy

A beautiful creature just going to die;

A young waiting maiden, who strangled must be

For nothing, but striking a Turkish lady.

To think of her dying with grief she was fill'd,

And rivers of tears like waters distill'd,

Like streams of a fountain from her eyes run down

Her red rosy cheeks, & from thence to the ground

He hearing what her crime was for to end the strife

Said, what must I give for this fair creature's life?

The answer returned was, an hundred pounds;

The which for her pardon he freely paid down.