A Dialogue
Between Tom and Jack,
Two
North-Country Plow-men,
Containing thier witty Discourse, and pleasant pastime
In their Travels up to the City of London; whether they were going to seek
their Fortune.
To the Tune of the Liggan Water. Licensed according to Order.
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SSout Tom and Jack from Cumberland,
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Would Travel up to London Town,
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Each with a pike-Staff in his hand,
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To knock all Thieves and Padders down.
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Who might beset them by the way,
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To Rob them of their present store,
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I'faith they vow'd to show them play,
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[?][s] having [full] Ten Groats and more.
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With merry Tales they past along,
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Till they did happily espy,
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A stately Building large and long,
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A pleasant River running by.
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Udz-waggers Tom, says lusty Jack,
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The mon that ownes this stately place,
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Both Gold and Silver doth not lack,
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'Tis built with such a sumptuous grace.
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If I my Judgment have not lost,
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When this fair Hall was first built new,
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Forty broad Shillings it did cost,
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Dear Brother Jack, now what say you,
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Tush fool, said he, our Landlords house,
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which e'nt so big as this by four,
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When it was built by Good-man Rouse,
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It cost as much as that, and more.
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This stately Building from the ground,
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Up to the highest ridge of all,
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I am perswaded cost Nine Pound,
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Your Skill in Building is but small.
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Since the first hour I was born,
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So large a House I ne'r came near,
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The Barns too they are cram'd with Corn,
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I'll warrant you some King lives here.
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As by the House they both did walk,
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And viewing the fair Silver Spring,
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They straight did fall into a talk,
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What each would wish for, if a King.
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At this stout Tom his Ears did claw
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and told his Brother Jack then soon,
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He'd have a Truss of good wheat straw,
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on which he'd lye a Bed till Noon.
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The next thing that I would desire
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I know it would my fancy fit,
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I'd have a lusty rousing fire,
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and in the Chimney Corner sit.
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And further more I tell to you,
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if I was but a King I say,
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I'd have fat Beef and Bacon too,
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likewise Bag Puddings e'ery Day.
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As I went to the Plow and Cart,
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I'd have a Bottle of the best,
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The which I love with all my heart,
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what say'st thou Jack, I an't in Jest.
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New Hose and Shoes, I'd likewise have
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a Hat, and Jacket lin'd with Bays,
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Then should I be both fine and brave,
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amongst the Maids on Holidays.
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Now I have let you understand
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what I would have if King I were,
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Tell me your wishes out of Hand,
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for Brother Jack it is but fair.
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Jack answer'd him immediately,
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since it is so, pray take the rest,
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What good things is there left for me,
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since you have pick'd and choos'd the best,
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Tom. You know full well my lot was first,
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therefore I took this Golden Rule,
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As Knowing if I chose the worst,
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e'faith I knew you'd call me fool.
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But Dearest Brother do not frown,
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your Pardon here this day I crave,
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Pray let us post to London Town.
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who knows what Fortune we may have.
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As soon as ever I come there,
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I'll do you all the good I can,
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If they shou'd chuse me for Lord Mayor,
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then you shall be my waiting man.
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