[illustration]
[illustration]
I Have bin the Master of money good store,
but now alas 'tis nothing so,
For now I am growne very excéeding poore,
and cannot well tell what to doe:
'Tis want of this money for that was my friend,
And when I had store I it lewdely did spend,
I thought I should never of it séene an end,
This money is many mens master their master,
'Tis money is now growne my master.
Perhaps some will say it is but as drosse,
but I say it is a fine mettall,
For he that wants money is possest with a crosse,
and is like to enjoy but a ltittle:
For hee that hath money may have what hée will.
Looke what he desireth his mind to fullfill,
With brave entertainement and kind welcome still,
'Tis money is many mens master their master,
This money, &c.
Whereas I had store of silver and gold,
then I was respected with Gallants,
But now I have none their love is growne cold,
and I'm more rejected then valliants.
Those that I have feasted with wine & good cheare
From me stand a loft & will not come mee neare,
Because I want meanes it puts me in feare.
'Tis money is many mens master their Master,
'Tis money, &c.
Thus lack of this money makes all men foregoe me,
as if they ne're saw me before,
But if I had mony i'm sure they would know me
and I should have company store:
They would come unto me with tales and with lyes,
And many brave projects they soon would devise,
But let men be carefull, such are cunning spies,
'Tis money is many mens master their master,
'Tis money, &c.
Now I all alone may sit like an asse,
whilst others are frollickly drinking,
And freely carrowsing the cup and the glasse,
I to my selfe sadly am thinking,
How they are in danger to fall in the snare.
Wherein I am tangled with griefe & with care,
Therefore I advise you such lewdnesse forbeare,
'Tis money is many mens master their master,
'Tis money, &c.
This money's a servant likewise I may say,
to them that doe carefully use it,
But it is uncertaine and soone runns away,
and specially if once you abuse it:
I meane if you wast it in drinking and pride,
At Cards Dice and whores full fast it will slide,
Leave off all such follies for thus I have tri'd,
That money becometh my master my master,
'Tis money that now is my Master.