The Cruel LAND-LORD:
OR,
The Fortunate Husband-man:
Containing a sweet and comfortable Cordial, after sharp and sower Sorrow, as you shall find by this following
Ditty. To the Tune of, If Love's a sweet Passion, etc.
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THere was a poor Man liv'd in Somerset-shire,
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Who by his loving Wife had five Children dear;
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And tho' every day he did work and take pains,
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Yet so great was his charge and so little his gains,
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That he scarce could get Bread for to fead them with all,
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When they did to their Father for Nourishment call.
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All kind of Provision was rais'd in a trice,
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Being forc'd an compell'd to give double the Price
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For our Bread-corn, and likewise all manner of Food;
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From which Consideration we well may conclude,
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That is must be a sorrow and grief to the poor
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Who receive for their Work not one Penny the more.
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The Rich are a plentiful Table do feed,
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While the Poor they are ready to Perish for need;
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As by woeful Experience we well understand,
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For there is many good Familes now in this Land,
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That can hardly bear up, let them do what they can,
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Ay, and such was the case of this honest poor Man.
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His Wife she fell Sick, and did languishing lye,
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At the end of full seventeen Weeks she did dye;
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In which time he could ne'er pay the Land-lord his Rent,
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Who did threaten him daily, That he should be sent
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To a Prison, where he should for ever remain,
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For without Rent he ne'er would release him again.
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He cry'd, Be not so Cruel, Pray Land-lord forbear,
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You shall not lose one Penny, I'll work and take care
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For to pay you next Harvest; yet this was in vain,
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Having bury'd his Wife, and returning again,
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He arrested this poor Man, and sent him to Jayl,
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For he had not a friend that would stand for his Bayl.
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The cries of the Infants did ring in his Ears,
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And in sorrow they paid a sad trib[ut]e of Tears;
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Yet this cruel Oppressor no pity would show;
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But to Prison the poor Man was [f]orced to go;
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While his poor little Infants did weep and bewail;
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Their dear Mother was Dead, and their Father in Jayl.
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There was a poor Widow that liv'd in the Town,
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Who did readily proffer to part with a Crown
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Towards raising a Sum, the said Land-lord to pay,
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Her example was follow'd by others next day;
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So they quickly releas'd their poor Neighbour from thrall;
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Having somewhat to feed his poor Children withal.
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About five Weeks after this Action was done,
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He had an one loving Cousin, a dear Sister's Son,
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Who did dye without Issue, and made him his Heir;
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Horse and Man being sent for to find him out there,
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For to take Positon of two Hundred a Year,
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Which does lie in the middle of fair Dorset-shire.
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Soon after he was in Positon of all,
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He return'd to the Town, for his Friends he did call,
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Who had hope him from Prison, requiting their love,
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But the poor honest Widow he honour'd above;
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All the rest of his good Benefactors and Friends,
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For he took her to Wife for to make her amends.
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Some blam'd him for making that Widow his Wife,
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But he answer'd, saying, She saved my Life,
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Had it not been for her, I in Goal might have dy'd,
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She's deserving, and worthy to be my sweet Bride;
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I shall always remember her love and good will,
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And while life does remain I will honour her still.
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This cruel Oppressor which was so unkind,
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He began to be vexed and mad in his mind,
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He that had been his honest mean Tenant before,
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Was at last the head Land-lord of his and much more;
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For the cruelty acted when as his Wife dy'd,
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He was fearful he would prove a Thorn in his side.
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Whose Sorrow was evermore sharp and severe,
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Yet he now has no less then two Hundred a Year;
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Thus we see how good Providence still does take care,
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Of the Poor and the Needy, then who shall dispair?
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Let us trust in God's Mercies, tho' never so poor,
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It is he that in love can replenish our Store.
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