The Great Boobee.
To a pleasant new Tune; Or, Salengers Round.
|
MY Friends if you will understand
|
my fortunes what they are
|
I once had Cattel, House and Land,
|
but now am never the near,
|
My Father left a good estate
|
as I may tell to thee,
|
I cozened was of all I had
|
like a great Boobee.
|
I went to School with a good intent,
|
and for to learn my book,
|
And all the day I went to play,
|
in it I never did look,
|
Full seven years, or very nigh,
|
as I may tell to thee,
|
I could hardly say my Christ-cross-row
|
like a great Boobee.
|
My Father then in all the haste,
|
did set me to the Plow,
|
And for to lash the horse about,
|
indeed I knew not how;
|
My Father took his whip in his hand,
|
and soundly lashed me
|
He calld me Fool and Country clown
|
and great Boobee.
|
But I did from my Vather run,
|
for I will plow no more,
|
Because he hath so slashed me,
|
and made my side so sore:
|
But I will go to London Town,
|
zome vashions for to see
|
When I came there they calld me Clown
|
and great Boobee.
|
But as I went along the street,
|
I carried my hat in my hand,
|
And to every one that I did meet,
|
I bravely bust my hand;
|
Some did laugh, and some did scoff,
|
and some did mock at me,
|
And some did say I was a Woodcock,
|
and a great Boobee.
|
Then did I walk in haste to Pauls,
|
the Steeple for to view
|
Because I heard some people say,
|
it should be builded new,
|
Then I got up unto the top,
|
the City for to see,
|
It was so high it made me cry
|
like a great Boobee.
|
From thence I went to Westminster,
|
and for to see the Tombs,
|
Oh, said I, what a house is here
|
with an infinite sight of Rooms?
|
Sweetly the Abby Bells did ring
|
it was a fine zight to see,
|
Me thoughts I was going to heaven in a string
|
like a great Boobee.
|
|
|
|
|
The second part, To the same Tune
|
BUt as I went along the street,
|
the most part of the day
|
Many Gallants did I meet
|
methoughts they were very gay,
|
I blew my nose, and pist my hose
|
some people did me see,
|
They said I was a beastly fool,
|
and a great Boobee.
|
Next day I through Pie-corner past,
|
the Roast-meat on the stall
|
Invited me to take a taste
|
my money was but small,
|
The meat I pickt, the Cook me kickt
|
as I may tell to thee
|
He beat me zore, and made me rore
|
like a great Boobee.
|
As I through Smithfield lately walkt
|
a gallant Lass I met
|
Familiarly with me she talkt
|
which I cannot forget,
|
She proffered me a pint of wine
|
me thought she was wondrous free,
|
To the Tavern then I went with her
|
like a great Boobee.
|
She told me we were near of kin,
|
and calld for wine good store,
|
Before the reckoning was brought in
|
my Cousin provd a Whore
|
My purse she pickt, and went a way
|
my Cousin cozened me
|
The Vintner kickt me out of doog
|
like a great Boobee.
|
At the Exchange when I came there,
|
I saw most gallant things
|
I thought the pictures living were
|
of all our English Kings,
|
I doft my hat, and made a leg
|
and kneeled on my knee
|
The people laught, and calld me fool,
|
and great Boobee.
|
To Paris Garden then I went,
|
where there was great resort,
|
My pleasure was my punishment,
|
I did not like the sport.
|
The Garden bull with his stout horns
|
on high then tossed me;
|
I did bewray my self with fear
|
like a great Boobee.
|
The Bear-heard went to save me then,
|
the people flockt about,
|
I told to the Bear-garden men,
|
my Guts were almost out,
|
They said I stunk most grievously
|
no man would pitty me,
|
They calld me witless Fool and Ass,
|
and great Boobee.
|
Then ore the water I did pass
|
as you shall understand,
|
I dropt into the Thames alasse
|
before I came to Land,
|
The Water-man did help me out,
|
and thus did say to me,
|
Tis not thy fortune to be drownd
|
thou great Boobee.
|
But I have learned so much wit
|
shall shorten all my cares,
|
If I can but a license get
|
to play before the Bears,
|
Twill be a gallant place indeed,
|
as I may tell to thee,
|
Then who dares call me Fool or Ass,
|
or great Boobee.
|
|
|
|
|