or
The Old Mans rehearsall, what brave dayes he knew
A great while agone, when his old Cap was new.
To the Tune of _Ile nere be drunke againe_.
[Illustration]
When this Old Cap was new, [94*.]
tis since two hundred yeere,
No malice then we knew,
but all things plentie were:
All friendship now decayes,
(beleeve me this is true)
Which was not in those dayes,
_when this old Cap was new_.
The Nobles of our Land
were much delighted then,
To have at their command
a Crue of lustie Men:
Which by their Coates were knowne
of Tawnie, Red or Blue,
With Crests on their sleeves showne
_when this old Cap was new_.
Now Pride hath banisht all,
unto our Lands reproach,
Then he whose meanes is small,
maintaines both Horse and Coach.
Instead of an hundred Men,
the Coach allows but two;
This was not thought of then,
_when this old Cap was new_.
Good Hospitalitie
was cherisht then of many,
Now poore men starve and die,
and are not helpt by any
For Charitie waxeth cold,
and Love is found in few;
This was not in time of old,
_when this old Cap was new_.
Where ever you travel'd then,
you might meet on the way
Brave Knights and Gentlemen,
clad in their Country Gray;
That courteous would appear,
and kindly welcome you,
No Puritans then were,
_when this old Cap was new_.
Our Ladies in those dayes
in civill Habit went,
Broad-cloth was then worth prayse,
and gave the best content;
French Fashions then were scorn'd,
fond Fangles then none knew,
Then Modestie Women adorn'd,
_when this old Cap was new_.
A Man might then behold,
at Christmas, in each Hall,
Good Fires, to curbe the Cold,
and Meat for great and small.
The Neighbours were friendly bidden,
and all had welcome true,
The poor from the Gates were not chidden,
_when this old Cap was new_.
Black Jackes to every man
were fill'd with Wine and Beere,
No Pewter Pot nor Kanne
in those dayes did appeare:
Good cheare in a Noble-mans house
was counted a seemly shew,
We wanted no Brawne nor Sowse
_when this old Cap was new_.
We tooke not such delight
in Cups of Silver fine,
None under the degree of a Knight,
in Plate drunk Beere or Wine.
Now each Mechanicall man,
hath a Cup-board of Plate for a shew,
Which was a rare thing then,
_when this old Cap was new_.
Then Briberie was unborne,
no Simonie men did use,
Christians did Usurie scorne,
devis'd among the Jewes.
Then Lawyers to be Feed,
at that time hardly knew,
For man with man agreed,
_when this old Cap was new_.
No Captaine then carowst
nor spent poore Souldiers Pay,
They were not so abus'd
as they are at this day.
Of seven dayes they make eight,
to keepe from them their due,
Poore Souldiers had their right
_when this old Cap was new_.
Which made them forward still
to goe, although not prest,
And going with good will,
their fortunes were the best.
Our English then in fight
did forraine Foes subdue,
And forst them all to flight,
_when this old Cap was new_.
God save our gracious King,
and send him long to live,
Lord, mischiefe on them bring,
that will not their almes give.
But seeke to rob the Poore,
of that which is their due;
This was not in time of yore,
_when this old Cap was new_.
M. P.[F. 169]