Ere I will live in lack, And have no coyn for thee: 90 I'll rob his house, and murder him, Why should you not? quoth she:
Was I a man, ere I Would live in poor estate; On father, friends, and all my kin, 95 I would my talons grate.
For without money, George, A man is but a beast: But bringing money, thou shalt be Always my welcome guest. 100
For shouldst thou be pursued With twenty hues and cryes, And with a warrant searched for With Argus' hundred eyes,
Yet here thou shalt be safe; 105 Such privy ways there be, That if they sought an hundred years, They could not find out thee.
And so carousing both Their pleasures to content: 110 George Barnwell had in little space His money wholly spent.
Which done, to Ludlow straight He did provide to go, To rob his wealthy uncle there; 115 His minion would it so.
And once he thought to take His father by the way, But that he fear'd his master had Took order for his stay[428]. 120
Unto his uncle then He rode with might and main, Who with a welcome and good cheer, Did Barnwell entertain.
One fortnight's space he stayed, 125 Until it chanced so, His uncle with his cattle did Unto a market go.
His kinsman rode with him, Where he did see right plain, 130 Great store of money he had took: When coming home again,
Sudden within a wood, He struck his uncle down, And beat his brains out of his head; 135 So sore he crackt his crown.
Then seizing fourscore pound, To London straight he hyed, And unto Sarah Millwood all The cruell fact descryed. 140
Tush,'tis no matter, George, So we the money have To have good cheer in jolly sort, And deck us fine and brave.
Thus lived in filthy sort, 145 Until their store was gone: When means to get them any more, I wis, poor George, had none.
Therefore in railing sort, She thrust him out of door: 150 Which is the just reward of those, Who spend upon a whore.
O! do me not disgrace In this my need, quoth he She call'd him thief and murderer, 155 With all the spight might be:
To the constable she sent, To have him apprehended; And shewed how far, in each degree, He had the laws offended. 160
When Barnwell saw her drift, To sea he got straightway; Where fear and sting of conscience Continually on him lay.
Unto the lord mayor then, 165 He did a letter write; In which his own and Sarah's fault He did at large recite.