EBBA 31365
British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
A New Song,
Sung in the Play of the King and
the Miller of Mansfield.
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HOW happy a state
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does the Miller possess,
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Who would be no greater
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nor fears to be Leses,
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On his Mill and himself
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he depends for for support,
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Which is better than servilely
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cringing at Court.
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What tho he all dusty
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and whitend does go,
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The more he is pow edd
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the more like a Beau,
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A Clown in his dress
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may be honester far,
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Than a Courtier who struts
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in a Garter and star.
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Tho' his hands are so daubd
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theyre not fit to be seen,
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The hands of his betters
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are not very Clean,
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A palm more polite
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may as dirtily deal,
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Gold in handling will stick
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to the fingers like meal.
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What tho when a Pudding
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for dinner he lac[k]s,
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He crib without scruple
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from other mens sacks,
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In this of right noble
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Example he brags,
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Who borrows as freely
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from other mens bags.
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Or should he endeavour
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to heap an Estate,
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In this too he Mimicks
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the tools of the state,
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Whose aim is alone
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their own coffers to fill,
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As all his concerns
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to bring Grist to his Mill.
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He eats when hes hunggry
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and drinks when hes dry,
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And down when hes weary
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contented does lie,
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Then rises up chearful
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to work and to sing,
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If so happy a Miller
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then whod be a King.
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