Times Alteration: Or
The Old Mans rehearsall, what brave dayes he knew,
A great while agone, when this Old Cap was new.
To the tune of, Ile nere be drunke againe.
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WHen this old Cap was new,
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tis since two hundred yeere
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No malice then we knewe,
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but all things plenty were:
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[All] friendship now decaid
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(beleeve me, this is true)
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Which was not in those dayes,
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When this old Cap was new.
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The Nobles of our Land,
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were much delighted then,
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To have at their commaund
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a crue of lusty men.
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Which by their Coats were knowne,
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of tawny, red, or blue,
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With Crests on their sleeves showne,
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When this old Cap was new.
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Now pride hath banisht all,
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unto our Lands reproch,
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When he whose meanes is small,
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maintaines both Horse and Coach,
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Instead of an hundred men,
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the Coach allowes but two,
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This was not thought on then,
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When this old Cap was new.
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Good Hospitality,
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was cherishe then of many,
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Now poore men starve and dye,
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and are not helpt by any:
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For Charity waxeth cold,
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and love is found in few,
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This was not in time of old,
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When this old Cap was new.
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Where ever you travel'd then,
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you might meet on the way,
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Brave Knights and Gentlemen,
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clad in their Countrey gray.
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That courteous would appeare,
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and kindly welcome you.
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No Puritanes then were,
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When this old Cap was new.
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Our Ladies in those dayes,
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in civill habit went,
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Broad cloth was then worth praise,
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and gave the best content,
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French fashions then were scorn'd,
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fond fangles then none knew,
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Then modesty women adorn'd,
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When this old cap was new.
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The second part To the same tune,
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A Man might then behold,
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at Christmas in each hall,
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Good fires to curbe the cold,
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and meat for great ind small.
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The neighbours were friendly bidden,
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and all had welcome true:
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The poore from the Gates were not chidden
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When this old Cap was new.
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Blacke Jackes to every man
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were fild with wine and Beere,
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No Pewter pot nor kanne,
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in those dayes did appeare.
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Good cheere in a Noblemanes house,
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was counted a seemely shew:
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We wanted no brawne nor sowse,
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When this old Cap was new.
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We tooke not such delight,
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in Cups of silver fine:
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None under a degree of a knight,
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in Plate dranke beere or Wine.
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Now eache Mechanicall man,
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hath a Cupboord of Plate for a [shew]:
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Which was a rare thing then
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When this old Cap was new
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Then Bribery was unborne,
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no Simony men did use,
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Christians did Usury scorne,
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devise'd among the Jewes.
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Then Lawyers tooke no Fees,
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at that time hardly knew,
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For man with man agrees,
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When this old Cap was new.
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No Captaine then carrowst,
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nor spent poore Souldiers pay.
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They were not so abus'd,
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as they are at this day,
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Of seven dayes they made eight,
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to keepe them from their due,
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Poore Souldiers had their right,
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When this old Cap was new.
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Which made them forward still,
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to go all, though not prest,
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And going with good will,
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their fortunes were the best,.
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Our English then in fight,
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did forraigne foes subdue.
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And forst them all to flight,
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When this old Cap was new
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God save our gracious King,
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and send him long to live,
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Lord, mischiefe on them bring,
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that will not their almes give,
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But seeke to rob the poore,
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of that which is their due
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This was not in time of yore,
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When this old Cap was new.
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