Page:Factor's garland (7).pdf/1

 No. 2.

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 educate, 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 dead man's carcase lying on the ground, He asked the reason why he there did lie, Then one of the natives did make this reply:— That man was a Christian while he drew breath, The duty's unpaid, he lies above the earth. Why, what are the duties? the Factor he cried, It is fifty pounds, sir, the Turk he replied.

That is a great sum, quoth the Factor, indeed! But 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.