The Good-Fellows Counsel:
Or, The Bad Husbands Recantation.
Proving by Arguments both Just and fit,
That he which spends least money has most wit.
To the Tune of, Tan Tivye.
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I Had no more wit, but was trod under feet,
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and all was for want of money,
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I dayly did walk in the fear of a Writ,
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and all, etc.
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But now im resolved to be more wise,
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And early each morning I mean for to rise,
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Theres none for a sluggard that shall me dispise,
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when I have no want of money.
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I was such a drudge, that it made me to grudge,
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because I had got no money,
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On each mans occasions I forst was to trudge,
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because I had got no money.
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But now im resolved ile do so no more,
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Ile drink no strong Ale upon the old score,
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And then I do hope I shall never be poor,
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when I have no want of money.
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I was such a thrift, that I could not make shift,
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and all was, etc.
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I was ready to hide my head in a clift,
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and all, etc.
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But now im resolved my trade for to mend,
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Ile work and get money to keep and to spend,
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And then I am sure my foes will me befriend,
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when I have no, etc.
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I was like a Fool, thats sent unto School,
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and all, etc.
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And every vile fellow my actions did rule,
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and all, etc.
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But now im resolved I will mend my trade,
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Ile get as good cloaths as I can get made,
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And then I shall be a bonny bonny Blade,
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when I have no want of money.
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The second Part, To the same tune.
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FOr when I w[a]s poor, and had not a store,
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of that which we use to call money,
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Then all my proud Neighbours would pass by my door,
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because they knew I had no money.
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Ile warrant you th[e]yd never ask me to go,
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To drink a strong pot because they did know,
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My purse and my credit was grown very low,
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for want of this raskally money.
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Then all my acquaintance my person did slight,
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and all was for want of this money,
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& some with-held from me that which was my right
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because they knew I had no money.
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Let me go, let me come, there was no man would heed
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When I try[]d to be trusted I never could speed
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But all my friends faild at the time of my need,
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because they, etc.
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Now all my dear friends be advised by me,
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all you that have wanted this money,
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Observe but rich people they are not so free,
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because they do love to get money.
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though presant you be all the whilst that they dine
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Youl find them as free as a hungry Swine,
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Then i[]le not be lavish of that which is mine,
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and I shall have plenty of money.
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For a Nigardly gallant ile not be a slave,
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that is not the way to get money,
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Their cloaths are so gay they are forced to crave,
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and to pinch the poor Labourers money.
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These needy young Gallants they are not for me,
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Your ordinary people are always most free,
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And tis better to work for a Farmer than he,
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for then a mans sure of his money.
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From a paunch-bellyd Hostiss I am to refrain,
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if ever I mean to get money,
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For she both my purse and my credit will stain,
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in making me spend all my money.
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Shel ask me to eat when she thinks I have dind
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Or of some salt bit she will put me in mind,
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That will make me to drink, & be spending my coin
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that she might be taking my money.
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With a Pick-pocket longer I am not to deal,
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if ever I mean to get money,
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For they have broke more than ever theyl heal,
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in cheating poor men of their money.
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I never will give to a counsel a Fee,
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An Atorny shall ner take a penny of me,
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For I with my Neighbours so well will agree,
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when I have got plenty of money.
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All roystering blades I do mean to forsake,
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if ere I intend to get money,
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Theyl tempt me to Wrestle and cudgels at wake,
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and cause me to spend all my money.
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We sing, and we dance, and we fuddle about,
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And when we are in we can never get out,
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Until we have given our pockets the rout,
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but thats not the way to get money.
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But here comes a danger thats worse then the rest
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that will tempt a youngman to spend money,
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A beautiful Whore when shes handsomly drest,
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will quickly consume a mans money.
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But all such decoys I intend for to shun,
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And honester ways I do mean for to run,
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My credi[t] shall raise in the face of the Sun,
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when I have got plenty of money.
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Ile buy me a house, and ile buy me some Land,
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when I have got plenty of money.
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And I will keep servants shall be at command,
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when I have got etc.
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And [a]fter all this I will get a rich Wife,
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For I shall be free from care and from strife,
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And I shall live richly all days of my life,
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when I have got plenty of money.
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