This ballad relates to the disbanding of the Parliamentary army. Contrary, however, to what is pretended in it, says Mr. Wright, in his volume printed for the Percy Society, the writers of the time mention with admiration the good conduct of the soldiers after they were disbanded, each betaking himself to some honest trade or calling, with as much readiness as if he had never been employed in any other way. Not many weeks before the date of the present ballad, a prose tract had been published, with the same title, “The Lamentation of a Bad Market, or Knaves and Fools foully foyled, and fallen into a Pit of their own digging,” &c. March 21st, 1659–60. IN red-coat raggs attired, I wander up and down, Since fate and foes conspired, Thus to array me, Or betray me To the harsh censure of the town. My buffe doth make me boots, my velvet coat and scarlet, Which used to do me credit with many a wicked harlot, Have bid me all adieu, most despicable varlet! Alas, poor souldier, whither wilt thou march? I’ve been in France and Holland, Guided by my starrs; I’ve been in Spain and Poland, I’ve been in Hungarie, In Greece and Italy, And served them in all their wars. Britain these eighteen years has known my desperate slaughter, I’ve killed ten at one blow, even in a fit of laughter, Gone home again and smiled, and kiss’d my landlor’s daughter; Alas! poor souldier, etc. My valour prevailed, Meeting with my foes, Which strongly we assailed; Oh! strange I wondred, They were a hundred; Yet I routed them with few blowes. This fauchion by my side has kind more men, I’ll swear it, Than Ajax ever did, alas! he ne’er came near it, Yea, more than Priam’s boy, or all that ere did hear it. Alas! poor souldier, etc. For King and Parliament I was Prester John. Devout was my intent; I haunted meetings, Used zealous greetings, Crept full of devotion; Smectymnuus won me first, then holy Nye prevail, {111} Then Captain Kiffin {112} slops me with John of Leyden’s tail, Then Fox and Naylor bangs me with Jacob Beamond’s flail. {113} Alas! poor souldier, etc. I did about this nation Hold forth my gifts and teach, Maintained the tolleration The common story And Directory I damn’d with the word “preach.” Time was when all trades failed, men counterfeitly zealous Turn’d whining, snievling praters, or kept a country ale-house, Got handsome wives, turn’d cuckolds, howe’er were very jealous. Alas! poor souldier, etc.