Page:Merry piper, or, The popish fryar & boy.pdf/19



OU Lads and lasses that can read,
 * and you that fain would learn

Herein you may your fancies feed,
 * and pleasant tales discern.

If once they're fairly understood,
 * deny it if you can;

The merry tales of Robin Hood,
 * Scarlet and Little John,

Cannot compare with this small book
 * which I present to you.

Then Reader flight it not, but look
 * you read the same quite through,

And then you'll be well satisfy'd
 * that I the truth have spoke,

For all the book is beautify'd,
 * with many a pleasant joke.

A merry boot there is between
 * the Fryar and the Boy,

In which whole crowds were dancing seen
 * in mad and mickle Joy.

The little lad whose name was Jack,
 * he had a step mother,

To whom he prov'd so arch a crack,
 * that fearce is such another;

For he a pleasant pipe had got,
 * from a poor Hermit old,

Likewise a bow with which he shot,
 * the like was never sold;

With which he made delightful sport
 * upon a poor old Fryar,

And in the very Proctor's court
 * he did the Lawyers tire.

His step mother amongst the rout,
 * where'er the look'd on Jack,