The Frolicksome Duke:
Or, The Tinker's good Fortune,
Who being found Dead Drunk, was conveyed to the Duke's Palace, where in a Bed of State he slept himself Sober; the next
day being honour'd as the real Duke till they made him as Drunk as before, and then left him where they first found him; he believing when
he awaken'd, that all had been a Dream: together with the Duke's Kindness for the Frolick's Sake. Tune of, Fond Boy, etc.
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Now as fam'd as report, a young duke keeps a court,
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One that pleases his fancy with frolicksome sport:
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Now amongst all the rest, here is one I protest,
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Which make you to smile when you hear the true just:
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A poor tinker he found, lying drunk on the ground,
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As secure in a sleep as if laid in a shrowd.
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The duke said to his men, 'William, Richard and Ben,
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Take him home to my palace, We'll sport with him then;
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O'er a horse he was laid, and with care soon convey'd
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To the palace, altho' he was poorly arrai'd;
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Then they stript off his cloaths, both his shirt, shoes, and hose,
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And they put him to bed for to take his repose.
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Having pull'd off his shirt. which was all over durt,
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They did give him clean holland, this was no great hurt;
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On a bed of soft down, like a lord of renown,
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They did lay him to sleep the drink out of his crown;
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In the morning when day, he admiring lay.
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For to see the rich chamber both gaudy and gay.
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Now he lay something late, in his rich bed of state,
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Till at last knights and squires, they on him did wait;
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And the chamberling bare, then did likewise declare,
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He desir'd to know what apparel he'd ware:
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The poor tinker amaz'd, on the gentleman gaiz'd.
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And admir'd how he to this honour was rais'd.
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Tho' he seem'd something mute, yet he chose a rich suit,
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Which he streitways put on without longer dispute;
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With a star on his side, which the tinker offt ey'd,
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And it seem'd for to swell him a little with pride;
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For he said to himself, Where is Joan my sweet wife?
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Sure she never did see me so fine in her life/
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From a convenient place, the right duke his good grace,
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Did observe his behaviour in every case;
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To a garden of state, on the tinker they wait,
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Trumpets sounding before him, thought he this is great
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Where on horses or two, pleasant walks he did view,
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With commanders and squires in scarlet and blew.
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A fine dinner was drest, both for him and his guest,
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He was plac'd at the table above all the rest,
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In a rich chair of state, lin'd with fine crimson red,
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With a rich golden canopy over his head;
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As he sat at his meat, the musick play'd sweet,
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With the choicest of singing his joys to compleat.
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While the tinker did dine, he had plenty of wine,
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Rich canary with sherry, and tent superfine;
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Like a right honest soul, faith, he took off his bowl,
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Till at last he began for to tumble and roul
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From his chair to the flower, where he sleeping did snore,
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Being seven times drunker then ever before.
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Then the duke did ordain, they should strip him amain,
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And restore him his old leather garments again;
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'Twas a point next the worst, yet perform it they must,
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And they carry'd him strait where they found him at first;
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Then he slept all the night, as indeed well he might,
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But when he did awaken his joys took their flight.
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For the height of his glory so pleasant did seem,
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That he thought it to be but a meer golden dream,
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Till at length being brought, to the duke where he sought
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For a pardon, as fearing he had set them at nought:
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But his highness he said, Thou'rt a jolly bold blade,
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Such a frolick before I think never was plaid.
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Then his highness bespoke him a new suit and a cloak,
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Which he gave for the sake of this frolicksome joak,
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Nay, and five hundred pound, with ten acres of ground,
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Thou shalt never, said he, range the counteries round,
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Crying old brass to mend, for I'll be thy good friend,
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Nay, and Joan thy sweet wife shall my dutchess attend.
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Then the tinker reply'd, What must Joan my sweet bride
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Be a lady, in chariots of pleasure to ride?
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Must we have gold and land, e'ry day at command?
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Then I shall be a squire I well understand.
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Well, I thank your good grace, and your love I embrace,
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I was never before in so happy a case.
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