If any giue me lodging, A courteous Knaue they find me, For in their bed, aliue or dead, I leave some Lice behind me. Still doe I cry, etc.
If a Gentry Coue be comming, [8] Then straight it is our fashion, My Legge I tie, close to my thigh, To moue him to compassion. Still doe I cry, etc.
My doublet sleeue hangs emptie, And for to begge the bolder, For meate and drinke mine arme I shrinke, Vp close vnto my shoulder. Still doe I cry, etc.
If a Coach I heere be rumbling, To my Crutches then I hie me, For being lame, it is a shame, Such Gallants should denie me. Still doe I cry, etc.
With a seeming bursten belly, I looke like one half dead, Sir, Or else I beg with a woodden legge, And a Night-cap on me head, Sir, Still doe I cry, etc.
In Winter time starke naked I come into some Citie, Then euery man that spare them can, Will giue me clothes for pittie. Still doe I cry, etc.
If from out the Low-countrie, [9] I heare a Captaines name, Sir, Then strait I swere I have bin there; And so in fight came lame, Sir. Still doe I cry, etc.
My Dogge in a string doth lead me, When in the towne I goe, Sir, For to the blind, all men are kind, And will their Almes bestow, Sir, Still doe I cry, etc.
With Switches sometimes stand I, In the bottom of a Hill, Sir, There those men which doe want a switch, Some monie give me still, Sir. Still doe I cry, etc.
Come buy, come buy a Horne-booke, Who buys my Pins or Needles? In Cities I these things doe crie, Oft times to scape the Beadles. Still doe I cry, etc.
In Pauls Church by a Pillar; [10] Sometimes you see me stand, Sir, With a Writ that showes, what care and woes I past by Sea and Land, Sir. Still doe I cry, etc.
Now blame me not for boasting, And bragging thus alone, Sir, For my selfe I will be praying still, For Neighbours have I none, Sir. Which makes me cry, etc.
[1: penny] [2: ale-house] [3: drink] [4: purse; Notes] [5: steal his purse] [6: girls; whores] [7: pawn their clothes] [8: gentleman] [9: Notes] [10: Notes]
[From _The Beggars Bush_ by JOHN FLETCHER; also in _The New Canting Dict_:--"Sung on the electing of a new dimber damber, or king of the gypsies"].
Cast your nabs and cares away, This is maunder's holiday: [1] In the world look out and see, Where so blest a king as he _(Pointing to the newly-elected Prince.)_