[The ]
Frollicksome Wager:
OR, THE
Ranting Gallant's Ramble through the City, where being stopp'd
by the Watch and Constable was sent to the Counter, brought before the
Mayor, whose Daughter begg'd his Pardon.
To the Tune of Legan Water .
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The Rant.
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BEhold! what Noise is this I hear,
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Step forth, and eke your Staves prepare:
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They cry out streight, the Watch is here,
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With Courage they cry, Who comes there?
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The Rant .
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The sturdy Watchmen streight did say,
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to knock you down I hope I'm able;
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If that you don't my Words obey,
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then come before Mr. Constable.
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The Rant .
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Where have you been so late, my Friend?
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or whether do you mean to go?
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Don't you think you shall the Laws offend,
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for I resolve these things to know.
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The Rant .
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Do I sit in this Chair of state,
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and represent the way of King,
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To be affronted at this rate?
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no, you another Tone shall sing.
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The Rant .
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Before you thus shall rant and rave,
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And think my Watch here to out-brave,
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I'll make your haughty Spirit bow,
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And send you to the Counter now.
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The Rant .
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Then coming to the Counter Gate,
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they knock'd, and it was open'd streight;
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Then to the Turn-key did they say,
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He must lye here, till the next day.
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The Rant .
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You seem a Gentleman, they cry'd,
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Not fitting for the Common-side,
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Therefore we will with special care,
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A Room, with a warm Bed prepare.
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The Rant .
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Come bring a Flask of curious Wine,
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That which is rare and superfine;
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Long Pipes, and good Tobacco too,
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Such Gentlemen there is but few.
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The Rant .
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The Prisoners came about him there,
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And did most solemnly declare,
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That he his Garnish then should pay,
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Before the Morning twilight day.
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The Rant .
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The Constable next morning goes,
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Just as the Gentleman arose,
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And then before the good Lord-Mayor,
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They did with hast and speed repair.
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The Rant .
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Shall it like your Honour, now my Lord,
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I took this mad Man in my Ward,
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Last night, when he did rant and roar;
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The like I never heard before.
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The Rant .
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I ask'd him then where he did live,
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But no Account at all he'd give,
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And therefore now I bring him here,
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Before your Lordship to appear.
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The Rant .
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And are you now no sober yet?
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But like a Man beside his Wit;
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If you continue in this strain,
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You to the Counter go again.
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The Rant .
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The Lord-Mayor's Daughter streight came in,
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And this Discourse she did begin:
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Pray Father listen now to me,
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And set the worthy Person free
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The Rant .
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This Man is quite beside his sense,
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And therefore will I send him hence,
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And to the Counter he shall go,
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To lye while he more sober grow.
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The Rant .
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Pray Father be not so severe,
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I'm certain that in time you'll hear
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Some Wager' is the Cause of this,
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And therefore take it not amiss.
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The Rant .
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She farther to her Father said,
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Some worthy Wager he hath laid;
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Therefore to speak he doth refuse,
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Least he thereby the same should lose.
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The Rant .
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He did no more disputing stand,
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But told the Gallant out of hand,
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That he must pay the Prison Fees,
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And then go ramble where you please.
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Printed for Charles Bates next the Crown Tavern in West-smithfield .
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