"And to him that writ this song I give this simple lot: Let every one be ready to give him half a pot. And thus I do conclude, wishing both health and peace To those that are laid in their bed, and cannot sleep for fleas. W. TURNER" The "tink, terry tink" of the Tinker's "Cry" is preserved in a Miscellany of the year 1667, called "_Catch that Catch Can; or, the Musical Champion_." [Illustration] "The Tinker. "Have you any work for a tinker, mistriss? Old brass, old pots, or kettles? I'll mend them all with a tink, terry tink, And never hurt your mettles. First let me have but a touch of your ale, 'Twill steel me against cold weather, Or tinkers frees, Or vintners lees, Or tobacco chuse you whether. But of your ale, Your nappy ale, I would I had a ferkin, For I am old And very cold And never wear a jerkin." The tinker's "Cry" forms the opening lines of "Clout the Cauldron," one of the best of our old Scottish songs:-- "'Hae ye ony pots or pans, Or any broken chanlers,' I am a tinker to my trade, And newly come from Flanders." But the song is so well known to all who take an interest in our northern minstrelsy, and is to be found, moreover, in every good collection of Scottish Songs, that it is enough to refer to it. Honest John Bunyan was a travelling tinker originally. Reader! just for a moment fancy the inspired author--poet we may call him--of "_The Pilgrim's Progress_," crying the "cry" of his trade through the streets of Bedford, thus--"_Mistress, have you any work for the tinker? pots, pans, kettles I mend, old brass, lead or old copper I buy. Anything in my way to-day, maids?_" While at the same time, through his brain was floating visions of Vanity Fair, the Holy War, the Slough of Despond, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, the Barren Fig Tree, the Water of Life, &c. beneath the long head of hair, shaggy and dirty, too, as a tinker's generally is. [Illustration] [Illustration: HOT CODLINGS:--_A Catch_.] This will be found in "_Windsor Drollery_," and, with music for three voices, by Thomas Holmes, in John Hilton's "_Catch that Catch Can_;" and also Walsh's "_Catch Club_." Part II., p. 25. "Have you observ'd the wench in the street, She's scarce any hose or shoes to her feet; And when she cries, she sings, 'I have hot Codlings, hot Codlings.' "Or have you ever seen or heard, The mortal with his Lyon tauny beard! He lives as merrily as heart can wish, And still he cries, 'Buy a brush, buy a brush.' "Since these are merry, why should we take care? Musicians, like Camelions, must live by the Aire; Then let's be blithe and bonny, no good meeting baulk, What though we have no money, we shall find Chalk."