CANTVS.
[ 4] 〈♫〉〈♫〉 IF I live to be old, for I find I go down, let this be my Fate: In a Country Town may I 〈♫〉〈♫〉 have a warm House, with a Stone at the Gate, and a cleanly young Girl to rub my bald Pate. May I 〈♫〉〈♫〉 govern my Passion with an absolute Sway, and grow wiser and better as my strength wears away, without 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Gout or Stone, without Gout or Stone, by a gentle decay, by a gentle decay.
In a Country Town by a murmuring Brook,
With the Ocean at distance wherein I may look;
With a spacious Plain, without Hedge or Stile,
And an easie Pad-Nag to ride out a Mile.
Chorus. May I govern, &c.
With Horace and Petrarch, and two or three more,
Of the best Wits that liv'd in the Ages before;
With a Dish of Rost Mutton, not Venison nor Teal,
And clean (tho' course) Linnen at every Meal.
Chorus. May I govern, &c.
With a Pudding on Sunday, and stout humming Liquor,
And Remnants of Latin to welcom the Vicar;
With a hidden Reserve of Burgundy Wine,
To drink the King's Health in as oft as I dine.
Chorus. May I govern, &c.
With a Courage undaunted may I face my last day,
And when I am dead, may the better sort say,
In the Morning when sober, in the Evening when mellow,
He's gone, and left not behind him his Fellow.
For he govern'd his Passion with an absolute sway,
And grew wiser and better as his strength wore away,
Without Gout or Stone, by a gentle decay.