If we niggle, or mill a bowzing Ken,
Or nip a boung that has but a win,
Or dup the giger of a Gentry cores ken,
To the quier cuffing we bing;
And then to the quier Ken, to scowre the Cramp-ring,
And then to the Trin'de on the chates, in the light-mans,
The Bube &. Ruffian cly the Harmanbeck & harmans.
[If we fornicate, or thieve in an alehouse,
Rob a purse with only a penny in it.
Or break into a gentleman's house,
To the magistrate we go;
Then to gaol to be shackled,
Whence to be hanged on the gallows in the morning,
The pox and the devil take the constable and his stocks.]
"OWRE OUT BEN MORTS"
[1610]
[By SAMUEL ROWLANDS in _"Martin Mark-all, Beadle of Bridewell: His
Defence and Answere to the Belman of London"_].
I
Towre out ben morts & towre,[1]
Looke out ben morts & towre,
For all the Rome coues are budgd a beake,[2]
And the quire coves tippe the lowre.[3]