Page:Youth's warning-piece, or, The tragical history of George Barnwell.pdf/21

 Likewiſe an uncle old I have,
 * at Ludlow he doth dwell;

He is a grazier, and in wealth
 * doth all the reſt excel.

Ere I will live in lack, quoth he,
 * and have no coin for thee:

I’ll rob his houſe and, murder him,
 * why ſhould you not ſaid ſhe?

Was I a man. ere I would want,
 * or live in poor eſtate,

On father, friends, and all my kin,
 * my talent I would grate.

For without money, George, ſaid ſhe
 * a man is but a beaſt;

But bringing money, thou ſhalt be
 * my ever welcome gueſt.

For ſay ſhould you purfued be
 * with twenty hues and cries,

And with a warrant ſearched for
 * with Argus’ hundred eyes:

Yet in my houſe you ſafe ſhould be,
 * ſuch privy ways there be,

That if they ſought a thouſand hours
 * they never could find thee.

And ſo carouſing in their cups,
 * their pleaſure to content;

George Barnwell had in a little time
 * his money wholly ſpent.

It being gone, to Ludlow then
 * he did provide to go,

To rob his rich old uncle,
 * his minion would have it ſo.

Directly for his uncle’s then
 * he rode with might and main,