Down-Right Dick of the West. OR, The Plow-Mans Ramble to LONDON, To see my Lord-Mayor and the rest of the Vine Volk of the City, with what hapned while he there re- mained. To the Tune of, The Country Farmer. This may be Printed, R. P.
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I Pray now attend and give ear to the jest,
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A Country-man he came late from the West,
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For he had a mind to see my LORD-MAYOR,
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And other fine Folk which it seemed liv'd there:
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Then up to the City at length he did range,
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Where seeing brave gallants in rich golden fringe
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But he above all did admire and strange
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To zee the Fine folk at the Royal Exchange.
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The Countrey-man amazed did stand,
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And looking about with his Whip in his hand,
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Then came a fine fellow a Don of the town,
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Aand called him Bumpkin and country Clown.
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And asked him how he dare to presume,
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To Lag here and Loiter, thus fill up the Room,
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Amongst these gay Ladies in Silk and perfume,
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Begone and pack off, or the stocks is your doom.
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I pray who are you then the Plow-man reply'd,
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That does now so scornfully here me deride,
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Fine fellow (said he) seeing you are unkind,
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In short I shall tell you a piece of my mind,
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I came now to see my Lord-Mayor his good grace,
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I fear not the angry frowns of your face,
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As long as I list I will stay in this place,
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Or on your gay Coat I will lay a long lace.
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For why said the Plow-man, I care not a figg,
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For all your high words, and your looking so big,
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This gallant was then in a passion indeed,
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And thus in a fury began to proceed,
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As making a proffer to give him a Kick,
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The Plow-man perceiving him just in the nick
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He told him his name it was resolute Dick,
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Then up with his lash and he gave him a lick.
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O then this fine Fellow began for to roar,
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Then presently came in twenty and more,
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Who asked the Plowman how dare he to do't,
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Since he was a Person of worthy repute:
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He first did abuse me in calling me clown,
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I could not forbear but I gave him a frown;
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Why should those fine fellows run Husband-men down,
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You can't live without us in city or Town.
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Nay plow-man i'de have you well understand,
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That we have both Silver and gold at command
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Rich chains & choice jewels with dimonds & rings
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With plenty of spices and other fine things:
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Of many Rich Coffers we carry the Keys,
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We have such estates that we live at our ease,
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We eat & we drink & we walk where we please.
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Then what do you think of such fellows as these.
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For all your Rich Jewels you starving may dye,
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If we do not bring in a daily supply,
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We plow and we Sow, and we harrow & Mow
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We have both the Milk and the honey you know,
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We ne're are without a good pudding or Sowse
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Then what need you Londoners make such a touze,
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If we did not labour you could not keep house,
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You gallants would soon S- as small as a Mouse
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Both Linnen and woollen what e're we will wear
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We have of our own by industrious care,
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We daily delight in much pleasure and mirth,
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And always receive the first fruits of the earth:
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To flout us I think you were something too bold,
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You'd starve if you fed upon Silver or Gold,
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We have corn, cattle and sheep in our fold,
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With rich beans and Bacon, eat hold belly hold.
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The Londoners presently laughing out right,
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For in his discourse they had taken delight,
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They said it was true and they did him commend
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And thus the whole quarrel was soon at an end:
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The Plow-man they freely began to extall,
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He soon got the favour of great men and small,
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And thus their debate did immediately fall,
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The Plow-man in wit was too hard for them all.
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FINIS.
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