This bowse is better than rom-bowse, [4] It sets the gan a-gigling, [5] The autum-mort finds better sport [6] In bowsing than in nigling. [7] This is bien bowse, etc. [_She tosses off her bowle, falls back and is carried out_.] [1: strong ale] [2: cup or platter] [3: water; pot] [4: wine] [5: mouth] [6: wife] [7: fornicating] "A BEGGAR I'LL BE" [Notes] [1660--1663] [A black-letter broadside ballad] I A Beggar, a Beggar, a Beggar I'll be, There's none leads a life more jocund than he; A Beggar I was, and a Beggar I am, A Beggar I'll be, from a Beggar I came; If, as it begins, our trading do fall, We, in the Conclusion, shall Beggars be all. Tradesmen are unfortunate in their Affairs, And few Men are thriving but Courtiers and Play'rs. II A Craver my Father, a Maunder my Mother, [1] A Filer my Sister, a Filcher my Brother, A Canter my Uncle, that car'd not for Pelf, A Lifter my Aunt, and a Beggar myself; In white wheaten Straw, when their Bellies were full, Then was I got between a Tinker and a Trull. And therefore a Beggar, a Beggar I'll be, For there's none lives a Life more jocund than he III For such pretty Pledges, as Lullies from Hedges. [2] We are not in fear to be drawn upon Sledges, But sometimes the Whip doth make us to skip And then we from Tything to Tything do trip; But when in a poor Boozing-Can we do bib it, [3] We stand more in dread of the Stocks than the Gibbet And therefore a merry mad Beggar I'll be For when it is night in the Barn tumbles he. IV We throw down no Altar, nor never do falter, So much as to change a Gold-chain for a Halter; Though some Men do flout us, and others do doubt us, We commonly bear forty Pieces about us; But many good Fellows are fine and look fiercer, And owe for their Cloaths to the Taylor and Mercer: And if from the Harmans I keep out my Feet, [4] I fear not the Compter, King's Bench, nor the Fleet. [5] V Sometimes I do frame myself to be lame, And when a Coach comes, I hop to my game; We seldom miscarry, or never do marry, By the Gown, Common-Prayer, or Cloak-Directory; But Simon and Susan, like Birds of a Feather They kiss, and they laugh, and so jumble together; [6] Like Pigs in the Pea-straw, intangled they lie, Till there they beget such a bold rogue as I. VI When Boys do come to us, and their Intent is To follow our Calling, we ne'er bind 'em 'Prentice; Soon as they come to 't, we teach them to do 't, And give them a Staff and a Wallet to boot; We teach them their Lingua, to crave and to cant, [7] The Devil is in them if then they can want. And he or she, that a Beggar will be, Without any Indentures they shall be made free. VII