It is from this time, and still only in "great" industry, that a working class can be spoken of. For a long time it was fairly small; but the self-consciousness it was acquiring was shown by the strikes, the combinations, and the attempts at union which were common in England from the sixteenth century; by combinations which were already national, like that of the papermakers in France at the end of the seventeenth century; by the popular songs in which the discontent of the workmen was expressed in bitter complaints or biting irony.[107] The energy and diplomacy displayed in the sixteenth century by the master printers of Lyons and Paris in preventing their workmen from striking (_fair le tric_, which was the name given in those days to concerted abstention from work[108]) is well known; so is the song sung in England by the wool workers[109] towards the end of the seventeenth century, the title of which is curious. The master is supposed to speak. THE CLOTHIER'S DELIGHT; OR, THE RICH MEN'S JOY, AND THE POOR MEN'S SORROW Wherein is expressed the craftiness and subtility of Many Clothiers in England, by beating down their Workmen's Wages. Combers, weavers, and spinners, for little gains, Doth earn their money, by taking of hard pains. _To the tune of_ "Jenny, come tae me," etc., "Paddington's Pound," or "Monk hath confounded," etc. Of all sorts of callings that in England be, There is none that liveth so gallant as we; Our trading maintains us as brave as a knight, We live at our pleasure, and take our delight; We heapeth up riches and treasure great store, Which we get by griping and grinding the poor. And this is a way for to fill up our purse, Although we do get it with many a curse. Throughout the whole kingdom, in country and town, There is no danger of our trade going down, So long as the Comber can work with his comb, And also the Weaver weave with his lomb; The Tucker and Spinner that spins all the year, We will make them to earn their wages full dear. And this is the way, etc. In former ages we us'd to give, So that our work-folks like farmers did live; But the times are altered, we will make them know All we can for to bring them under our bow; We will make to work hard for sixpence a day, Though a shilling they deserve if they had their just pay. And this is the way, etc. and so on, for twelve stanzas.