Bein darkmans then, bouse, mort, and ken [33]
the bien coue's bingd awast; [34]
On chates to trine, by Rome-coues dine [35]
for his long lib at last. [36]
* * * * *
Bingd out bien morts, and toure, and toure,[37]
bing out of the Rome-vile; [38]
And toure the coue, that cloyde your duds,[39]
upon the chates to trine.[40]
[1 Go abroad, good women,]
[2 and look about you;]
[3 For all your clothes are stolen;]
[4 and a good fellow (a clever thief) has the money.]
[5 I met a wench and summed her up,]
[6 she suited me very well]
[7 So (joining company) she watched while I stole]
[8 whatever came our way.]
[9 This young whore can lie like truth,]
[10 fornicate vigorously for a penny]
[11 And steal very cleverly]
[12 on the countryside]
[13 When the house was alarmed we had good luck]
[14 in spite of frost and snow]
[15 When they sought us we hid]
[16 in the woods.]
[17 To a thieves' receiving house the woman goes]
[18 to get money for the swag--]
[19 Notes]
[20 got by a rogue's dexterity.]
[21 Ye rogues do not brag of your booty]
[22 to rogues who are not straight]
[23 Or trust a mistress, who though she [Notes]]
[24 does so for hire.]
[25 With a counterfeit license and forged signatures [Notes]]
[26 as to losses by fire]
[27 To rob each house let a man go]
[28 thro' hedge, ditch and field]
[29 Till fetters are his desserts]
[30 and a prison is his fate]
[31 A plague take the magistrate!]
[32 who is so hard on a clever rogue]
[33 A good-night then to drink, wench, and ale-house--]
[34 the poor fellow is gone]
[35 On the gallows to hang by rogues betray'd]
[36 to his long sleep.]
[37 So go, my good woman]
[38 out of London]
[39 And see the man who stole your clothes]
[40 upon the gallows hanging.]
THE SONG OF THE BEGGAR [Notes]
[1620]
[From _"A Description of Love"_ 6th ed. (1629)].
I
I am Rogue and a stout one,
A most courageous drinker,
I doe excell, 'tis knowne full well,
The Ratter, Tom, and Tinker.
Still doe I cry, good your Worship good Sir,
Bestow one small Denire, Sir [1]
And brauely at the bousing Ken [2]
He bouse it all in Beere, Sir. [3]