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A merry Discourse betweene Norfolke Thomas, and Sisly Standtoo't his Wife; Together with their thanklesse journey from Norfolk to London, onely to see their friends, and how they doe respect and entertaine 'um for their love and labour.
Which shewes that this same Age most certaine true, Is onely for to aske yee how ye doe.
To the tune of the Spanish Pavin.
[illustration]
[illustration]
Thomas.
TO London is mad Thomas come,
With Sisly here, his Wife alone,
To sée some friends, I hear are gone,
to heaven a while ago.
But I do hope it is a lye,
As I shall find it by and by,
Or else poore Tom and Sisse should cry,
till Doomes-day.
For though they be none of the best,
I should be loath I do protest,
To hear that they are gone to rest,
and never take their leave.
For I do love 'um all so well,
A little thing would make me dwell,
Within the sounding of Bow-bell,
at London.
Sisly.
Nay husband do not you say so,
Our Cottage poore wée'l not forgo,
For the best house that stands aroe,
'twixt Cheap and Charing Crosse.
For though our house be thatch't with Straw,
We do not live as some in awe,
For 'tis our own by Common law,
in Norfolke.
Besides we live at hearts content,
We take no care to pay our Rent,
For that is done incontinent
or twinkling of an eye.
When here at London as they say,
They brawle and brable every day,
And few or none but finds a way
to Hogdsdon.
Thomas.
Mum Sisly kéep your Clapper still
There's them can hear at Hygat hill,
There's Rats has béen in Peggies Mill,
or else she lies her selfe.
What if the world be vilde and bad,
Shall I be such a foolish Lad
To blaze and noyse it all abroad,
I scorn it.
Although, indéed I must confesse,
Thou speak'st but truth my honest Sisse,
Yet ever while you live, marke this,
and take it for a rule.
That every Chimney must not smoake,
Nor every Begger weare a Cloake,
Nor every truth must not be spoke,
in sadnesse.
But hang that Cobler and his Ends,
That lives too well and never mends,
Wood they were whipt that nere offends,
peace Chuck, I mean not thée.
For thou wilt scold sometime I know,
The more is Thomas Standtoots wo,
But hang it; come lets trip and go to
Fléetstréet.
And thus they trudg'd along the stréet,
With many a justle they did méet,
Which put poore Thomas in a sweat,
and something angry to.
Which made him think they told a lye
That said there did so many dye,
When as he could not go hardly,
for people,
Sisly.
At length quoth she, good husband stay
And tell me what this place is pray,
Where things are carried as they may,
I never saw the like.
For yonders one doth ride in state,
And heares a Begger at a gate
And there's a woman that will prate
for nothing.
Sée here is one that soundly beats,
And thumps his Hemp untill he sweats,
And there's another gréedy eats,
I fear hee'l choak himselfe,
And yonder goes a gallant bilk,
And there's a woman winding silk,
And heares another fetches milk
at Hackney.
But here's the prettiest sight of all,
A woman that is mighty tall,
And yet her Spouse a little squall,
I wonder how they met.
And heres a man in Armour stands,
That has it seemes lost both his hands,
'Tis pitty that he has no lands
to keep him.
Now you must by this time suppose them about the Exchange.