The Worst is past.
OR,
A merry new Song that lately was pend,
Which when these things alter, the times will amend:
Its merry and harmlesse, free from all distaste,
And when these changes come, the worst is past.
To a pleasant new Tune.
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MY masters all give eare awhile
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Ile do the best to make you smile,
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Hoping to give no man distaste,
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But tell them when the worst is past.
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And therefore now to please you all,
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To pen and inke I did befall,
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And casting up my summe at last,
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I told them how the worst is past.
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When Merchants they leave over-buying,
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And Lawyers some give over lying,
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And all Precisians are grown chast,
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Why then I hope, etc.
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When Land lords do leave taking rent,
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And with good words will be content,
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And millers turn good fellows in haste,
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When then I think, etc.
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When Turnball-street has nere a whore,
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And theeves their stealing trade give ore,
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And wanton wenches all live chaste,
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Why then I hope, etc.
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When higw-way robbers will refuse
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To take a purse, knowing what ensuse,
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And recantation make in haste,
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Why then I think, etc.
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When all will live by honest means,
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Hating dice, cards, and cozening quean,
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And all eschew ill wayes in haste,
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Why then I hope, etc.
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Now Sea-men are brave fellows all,
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Theyl drink the strong and leave the smal
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And then the reckonings paid at last,
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Why then I hope, etc.
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When northern cloth gives over shrinking
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And all good fellows leave off drinking,
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And Brewers all have brewd their last,
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Why then I hope, etc.
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When Paritors will take no fee,
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And fo with fo will all agree,
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And spend no coyne in Law at waste,
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Why then I hope, etc.
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When Tapsters will not thrive by froth
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And to score two for one are loth,
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And all old scores are paid in haste,
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Why then I think the worst is past.
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Thus wishing all may mend apace,
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Let all are ill turn from the race,
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And learn with speed to mend in haste,
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And then ware sure the worst is past.
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The second part to the same tune.
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WHen Tailors will not use a hell,
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And travellers no lies will tell,
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And alls that spoke, prove true at last,
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Why then I think the worst is past.
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When some inquirers after news,
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Whose eares do itch for what ensues,
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Wilt be content to know at last,
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Why then I think the worst is past.
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When Knights oth post will swear no lie,
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And truth is known from flattery.
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Then need no Pillories up be plact,
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For then I think, etc.
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When as Joan slattern cleanly growes,
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Doth cut her nails, and pare her toes,
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And will turn cleanly at the last,
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Why then I think the worst is past,
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When Prodigals will save their coyne,
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And will at once but two pence joyne,
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And crosse the Mercers book in haste,
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Why then I think, etc.
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When Gossips to no feast will range,
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Nor some like to the Moon still change,
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Then tatling tales will all lie waste,
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And then I think, etc.
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And when new fashions are not used,
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And in some trades truths not abused,
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Then we shall see good dayes at last,
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And surely think, etc.
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When Gallants in their drink not sweare,
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And all poor men are free from care,
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And spend not all in lustfull waste,
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Why then I think, etc.
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When theeves leave off their stealing trade,
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And Cheats to rook men are afraid,
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And are inclinde to good at last,
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Why then I think the worst is past.
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When Brokers will refuse a pawn,
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And Parasites will leave to fawn,
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And Bankerouts pay all men in haste,
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Why then I hope, etc.
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When horse coursers will leave to sweare,
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And theev[e]s to Newgate none repaire,
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And Doctor Stories Cap stands waste,
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Why then I think etc.
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When Mistris midnight-walker will
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Turn from her courses which are ill,
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And come no more unto mens waste,
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Why then I think, etc.
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And thus for to conclude in haste,
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Hoping none vertuous in distaste,
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When all our reckonings paid at last,
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Why then I hope the worst is past.
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