Page:Tradesman's' farewell.pdf/3

3 Many a good mechanic,

Through mere necessity,

Is gone on board a man of war,

And left his family;

There’s scarce any encouragement

For man’s industry,

Tis better to serve the King,

Than live in poverty.

Great numbers of our tradesmen

Have nothing for to do;

The weaver’s loom is idle,

Which does his grief renew;

What can surpass their great distress!

Their comfort is but small;

Instead of having a free trade,

They have no trade at all.

Likewise those crafty meal-men

Great profit they do make,

And those cunning little bakers

Advantages do take;

The loaf is small, yet, after all,

They crib an ounce or two;

Poor people, by experience,

They know it to be true.

The widows and their orphans,

Alas! are in great need;

To hear their lamentation

Would make your heart to bleed