The VOICE of FAME:
OR, THE
TAYLOR's GLORY:
Giving an Historical Account of many Kings, Princes, Dukes, Lords,
Bishops, Earls, Knights, and Gentlemen, etc., that have been of this Noble and
Honourable Profession.
Tune of , The Cloak.
Licensed according to Order .
Humbly dedicated to all the Lovers of this most Magnanimous and Ingenious Art.
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OF all the Professions that ever were nam'd,
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The Taylors tho' slighted is much to be fam'd
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For various invention and antiquity;
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No trade with the Taylors compared may be,
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For warmth, and distinction, and fashion he doth,
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Provide for both Sexes with Silk, Stuff, and Cloath;
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Then do not disdain him, or slight him, or flout him,
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Since (if well consider'd) you can't live without him:
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But let all due praises (that can be) be made,
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To honour and dignifie the Taylor's trade.
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When Adam and Eve out of Eden were hurl'd,
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They were at that time King and Queen of the World;
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Yet this Royal Couple were forced to play
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The Taylors, and put themselves in green array;
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For modesty and for necessity's sake,
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They had Figs for the Belly, and Leaves for the Back;
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And afterwards cloathing with Sheep-skins they made,
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Then judge if the Taylors was not the first Trade;
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The oldest Profession, and they are but Raylors,
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Who scoff and deride Men that be Merchant Taylers.
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Some say that the Shooemakers trade do out go him,
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But I am perswaded it is much below him;
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When he's at the bottom the Tayler's o'th'top,
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When the Shoomaker kneels the stout Tayler stands up,
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Embracing and lacing his Madam so fair,
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And decking her Body with Robes debonair;
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There is no fault for so to be found with this Trade,
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Altho' there's small difference 'twixt Mistress and Maid,
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And therefore in short, I do count them but Raylers
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Who shall under value the brave Merchant Taylers.
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If Princes and People stark naked should go,
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Who could their Grandure or Dignity know;
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It would pretty modest fair Virgins perplex,
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'Cause Nakedness shews the distincton of Sex:
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And therefore the Tayler, to fortifie Nature,
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By Art and Formalities, covers the Creature;
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To every Person he gives a due dress,
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Which doth in fit order their Callings express:
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Then let all your praises be properly made.
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To commend and dignifie the Tayler's trade.
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With various Persons in habit he deals,
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And with outward Shapes inward Secrets conceals;
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Distortion of Body, and fowlness of Mind,
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That under good cloathing you can't quickly find:
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A Wife in high habit hath often been seen,
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Tho' as rank as a Goat, yet as rich as a Queen;
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Such power hath Apparel that covers the Skin,
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All imbroyder'd without, and corrupted within,
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This falshood doth not in the Taylers Art lurk.
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But in the fowl Members that set him to work.
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Kings, Princes, Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts, Lords,
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Have Royal Apparel from Taylors Shop-board;
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Grave Bishops, and Judges, Knights, Gentlemen, Yomen[,]
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With all the degrees of Men, Children, and Women [;]
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All sorts and distinctions of Land-men and Saylers,
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Are roab'd, gown'd, and coated, and tackled by Taylers [;]
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In gallant apparel your Martial-man thunders,
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Good Cloaths and good Courage too, daily do wonders [;]
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He that hath poor habit and is out of fashion,
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Is slighted and seldom obtains estimation.
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Ten Kings of the brave Merchant-taylers are free,
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As twenty-two Princes and Dukes also be:
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Twenty seven Bishops right reverend and good,
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And forty seven Earls are of this Brotherhood,
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With seventy seven bold Barrons and Lords,
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As may be produced from our Ancient Records;
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Then judge if the dignify'd Taylors have not
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Cause for Estimation, ne'r to be forgot.
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Since none of good fashion but Ranters and Raylers,
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Will wrong the right worshipful Merchant-taylers.
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