Page:Factor's garland (5).pdf/2



here's a ditty the truth and no jest,

Concerning a young gentleman liv'd in the east,

Who by his great gaming came to poverty,

And afterwards went many a voyages to sea

Being well educated, and one of great wit.

Three merchants in London, they all thought it fit

To make him their Captain and Factor also,

And for them, to Turkey, a voyage he did go.

And walking along the streets, there he found

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

He asked the reason why it there did lie

Then one of the natives did make this reply.

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

The duty's unpaid, he lies above the earth.

Why, what is the duty? the Factor he cry'd.

It is fifty pounds, sir, the Turk he reply'd.

That is a great sum, quoth the Factor, indeed;

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

So then, by the Factor, the money was paid,

And under the earth the dead carcase was laid.

When having gone further, by chance he did spy

A beautiful creature just going to die;

A young waiting maid, who strangled must be,

For nothing but striking a Turkish lady.

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

Then rivers of tears, like waters distill'd,

Like streams of a fountain, from her eyes ran down

Her red rosy cheeks, and from thence to the ground.

Hearing what her crime was he to end the strife;

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

The answer was return'd, a hundred pound,

The which for her pardon he freely paid down.