Page:Merry piper, or, The popish fryar & boy.pdf/17

 Still as they caper'd to and fro,
 * and from the ground did rise

One gave the fryar such a blow,
 * which beat out both his eyes.

The writer from his desk did jump,
 * into the thickest throng,

And fell upon the step-dame's rump
 * and threw her all along.

Now by the fury of his fall,
 * her breech did roar like thunder

As if she meant to slay them all,
 * and rend the roof asunder.

Some danc'd with forms and some with stools,
 * the table they jump'd over;

Jack laugh'd to see a throng of fools
 * with all their garments tore.

Some girls that were great with child,
 * who had the laws transgress'd,

Came thither to be reconcil'd
 * and danc'd among the rest.

Their maiden-heads were crack'd before,
 * by youthful venial sins,

But now their grief is somewhat more,
 * for here they broke their shins,

The proctor, priest, and all the men
 * besought the little boy,

That he would leave off piping then
 * lest he should them destroy.

The little boy then reply'd,
 * to this I will agree;

My pipe shall soon be laid aside,
 * so I may but go free.

The proctor and prodigious throng
 * this voice they did forth send.

E'er he should suffer any wrong,
 * his cause they would defend.

Jack put his pipe under his belt,
 * so all the tribe stood still;