DEATHS DANCE.
To be sung to a pleasant new tune, called; Oh no, no, no, not yet, or, the meddow brow.
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I F Death would come and shew his face,
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as he dare shew his power,
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And sit at many a rich mans place,
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both every day and houre.
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He would amaze them every one,
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to see him standing there,
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And with that soone he would be gone,
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from all their dwellings faire.
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Or if that Death would take the paines,
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to goe to the water side,
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Where Merchants purchase golden gains
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to pranke them up in pride.
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And bid them thinke upon the poore,
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or else Ile see you soone,
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There would be given then at their doore,
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good almes, both night and noone.
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Or walke into the Royall-Exchange ,
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when every man is there,
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No doubt his comming would be strange,
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to put them all in feare.
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How they do worldly buy and sell,
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to make their markets good,
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Their dealings all would proper well,
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if so the matter stood.
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Or if Death would take the paines,
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to go to Pauls one day,
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To talke with such as there remaines,
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to walke and not to pray.
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Of life they would take lasting Lease,
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though nere so great a Fine,
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What is not that, but some would give,
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to set them up a Shrine.
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If Death would go to Westminster ,
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to walke about the Hall,
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And make himselfe a Counsellor,
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in pleas amongst them all.
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I thinke the Court of Conscience,
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would have a great regard,
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When Death should come with diligence,
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to have their matters heard.
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For Death hath been a Checker man,
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not many yeeres agoe,
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And he is such a one as can,
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bestow his checking so.
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That never a Clarke within the Hall,
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can argue so his case,
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But Death can overrule them all,
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in every Court and place.
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If Death would keepe a tipling house,
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where Roysters do resort,
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And take the cup, and drinke, carowse,
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when they are in their sport.
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And briefly say, my Masters all,
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why stand you idle here,
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I bring to you Saint Gibs his bowle,
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twold put them all in feare.
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If Death would make a step to dance,
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where lofty Gallants be,
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Or take Dice, and throw a chance,
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when he doth gamesters see.
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And say, my Masters, Have at all,
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I warrant it will be mine.
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They would in amazement fail,
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to set him any Coyne.
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If Death would Gossip now and then,
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amongst the crabbed Wives,
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That taunts and railes at their good men,
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to make them weary lives.
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It would amaze them, I might say,
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so spightfully to boast:
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That they will beare the swing and sway,
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and over-rule the roast.
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If Death would quarterly but come,
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amongst the Landlords crue,
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And take a count of every sum,
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that rises more than due.
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As well of Income, as of Fine,
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above the old set Rent.
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They would let Leases without Coyne,
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for feare they should be [sp]ent.
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If Death would take his dayly course,
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where Tradesmen sell their Ware,
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His welcome sure would be more worse,
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then those of monyes bare,
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It would affright them for to see,
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his leane and hollow lookes,
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If Death should say, come shew to me,
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my reckoning in your bookes.
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If Death would thorow the Markets trace
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where Conscience us'd to dwell,
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And take but there a Hucksters place,
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he might do wondrous well.
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High prizes would abated be,
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and nothing found too deare,
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When Death should call, Come buy of me,
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would put them all in feare.
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If Death would proove a Gentleman,
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and come to court our Dames,
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And do the best of all he can,
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to blazon forth their names.
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Yet should he little welcomes have,
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amongst so fayre a crew,
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That daily go so fine and brave,
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when they his face do view.
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Or if he would but walke about,
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our City Suburbs round,
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There would be given him out of doubt,
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full many a golden pound.
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To spare our wanton femall crew,
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and give them longer day:
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But Death will grant no Leases new,
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but take them all away.
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For Death hath promised to come,
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and come he will indeed,
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Therefore I warne you all and some,
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beware and take good heed.
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For what you do, or what you be,
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hee's sure to find and know you,
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Though he be blind, and cannot see,
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in earth he will bestow you.
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FINIS.
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