2 As for example now I can Tell you of one, a gentleman, Who had a very good estate; His earthly travels they were great. 3 We understand he had a son Who a lewd wicked race did run; He daily spent his father’s store, When moneyless he came for more. 4 The father oftentimes with tears Would sound this alarm in his ears: ‘Son, thou dost all thy comforts blast, And thou wilt come to want at last.’ 5 The son these words did little mind; To cards and dice he was inclind, Feeding his drunken appetite In taverns, which was his delight. 6 The father, ere it was too late, He had a project in his pate, Before his aged days were gone To make provision for his son. 7 Near to his house, we understand, He had a waste plat of land, Which did but little profit yield, On which he had a cottage built. 8 ‘The Wise-Man’s Project’ was its name; There was few windows in the same; Only one door, substanti[a]l thing, Shut by a lock went by a spring. 9 Soon after he had playd this trick, It was his lot for to fall sick; As on his bed he did lament, Then for his drunken son he sent. 10 Who, sent for, came to his bed-side; Seeing his son, he then reply’d, ‘I sent for you to make my will, Which do you faithfully fulfil. 11 ‘To such one cottage is one door; Neer open it, do thou be sure, Until thou art so poor that all Do then despise you, great and small. 12 ‘For to my grief I do perceive When I am dead this life you live Will soon melt all thou hast away: Do not forget these words, I pray. 13 ‘When thou hast made thy friends thy foes, Pawnd all thy lands, and sold thy cloaths, Break ope the door, and there depend To find something thy grief to end.’ 14 Thus being spoke, the son did say, Your dying words I will obey; Soon after this his father dear Did die and buried was, we hear. Part II 15 Now pray observe the second part, And you shall hear his sottish heart: He did in taverns so frequent Till he three hundred pounds had spent. 16 This being done, we understand He pawnd the deeds of all his land Unto a tavern-keeper, who When poor did him no favour shew. 17 For to fulfil his father’s will He did command this cottage still; At length great sorrow was his share, Quite moneyless, with garments bare. 18 Being not able for to work, He in the tavern there did lurk, From box to box, among rich men, Who often times revil’d him then. 19 To see him sneak so up and down, The vintner on him he did frown, And one night kickd him out of door, Charging him to come there no more.